Games Another pleasing aspect of these victories was our improving ability to break teams down after numerous phases of play. We had learnt to be patient and control the game. Our ball retention, our improved body angles when rucking and our direct lines of running had developed, thus making us a formidable side in attack. The boys left for their Christmas holidays knowing their first game back in the New Year would be their opening cup fixture against Omagh Academy. Christmas came and went and the Cup was upon us. We comfortably beat Omagh Academy 43-3 after a slow and nervous start. It was a very pleasing performance where we showed many encouraging signs that we might be about to peak at the right time of year. The second round draw was tough but I thought favourable enough to us; an away fixture against Coleraine Inst. Our earlier fixture against them in October had been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. This match was played in fair weather conditions. We started fairly well but it was clear that we were going to have to play near our best if we were to progress to the next round. They had a very aggressive, robust pack which out-muscled us in the opening encounters. After about fifteen minutes our pack began to find their feet, but was already a try down by that stage. Then, when we were getting ourselves back into the game, disaster struck, our captain and first choice fly-half Tom Marsh, suffered a nasty blow to the head. He had concussion and we had no choice but to replace him. This disrupted a back-line a lot more than it should have and unfortunately left us surprisingly exposed. We conceded several soft tries through the centre of our back-line and despite a brief resurgence midway through the second half we were unable to maintain the level of rugby needed to beat Coleraine. It was a very disappointing end to the season and we limped out of the Cup, losing 34-17.
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The boys to their credit never gave up, fighting to the end through injury. However, victory was not to be. The final whistle saw a season of so much promise end at this very early stage. I was extremely disappointed for the boys who had given their all and had deserved so much more. Trials, hardships, disappointments and defeats can make you a ‘better person’ and it is my belief that this ‘successful’ season will turn out to be a brilliant strengthening and learning experience for bigger days to come. Many of these boys will form next year’s 1st XV and it is my belief that with further expert coaching, they will
again compete for the Schools’ Cup. I thank them for their efforts throughout the season and wish them every success in their future rugby careers. Special mention and my thanks should go to my captain throughout the year Tom Marsh whose enthusiasm and desire to succeed should have been rewarded with more success than we had and to Mr. Cowden who refereed all our home matches to a very high standard. I look forward to working with both Tom and Mr Cowden next year. 2nd XV Squad: S. Lindsay, B. O’Neill, M. Wylie, M. Oates, J. Laughlin, S. Craig, K. Durnien, P. Hawthorne, E. Linden, D. McFadden, R. Hogg, A. Deaney, J. Diamond, T. Gillespie, C. Davis, P. Morris, J. English, A. McClements, B. Martin, T. Marsh (C), J. McClurkin, A. Marica, P. Holland, S. Bigger, P. Warke, J. Walsh, T. Coughlan, A. Curtis, R. Montgomery, A. Robinson. P.M.
3rd XV Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Plate winners
Captain: Declan Coughlan
Few would doubt the lack of wisdom or foresight of someone who set out to do a major task without first having full control over his resources. Accepting the responsibility of trying to coach and develop a 3rd XV is in many ways evidence of such a lack of wisdom. However, this is simply because there is never anything approaching full control of the resources. The vagaries of availability of players because of conflicting interests and because of losing players as a result of unavailability or injuries to the 1st and 2nd XV teams, as well as the sometimes strange selections at 1st and 2nd team level, all contribute to being forced not only to have to select but also coach with variable resources. Throughout the past season over 40 players had the experience of training and playing with the 3rd XV and at least 30 of those were committed members of the team. The work ethic and commitment of the