RUGBY: Spirited display from Ballyclare High School girls

The Ballyclare High School girls' tag rugby team lost out in the final of the schools' rugby cup tournament yesterday at the Kingspan Stadium.
Enniskillen Collegiate took on Ballyclare High at the Kingspan Stadium. Picture: Brian Little/PresseyeEnniskillen Collegiate took on Ballyclare High at the Kingspan Stadium. Picture: Brian Little/Presseye
Enniskillen Collegiate took on Ballyclare High at the Kingspan Stadium. Picture: Brian Little/Presseye

Ballyclare High lost 9-6 to Enniskillen Collegiate in Tuesday’s Danske Bank Girls Schools’ Cup final.

They battled well against an Enniskillen side, which had won the title for the previous six years.

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Coach Mike McKeever said: “We came up against proper rugby girls who had a better skill set in passing and catching the ball, plus they retained good shape in defence and attack.

“A few close calls had been made at try-scoring opportunities, but that’s the game I guess. Credit to Enniskillen on a deserved win.”

The Fermanagh team were 3-1 up at half time, with Lydia Mills scoring the try for the Rashee Road school.

Ballyclare try scorers in the second half were Laura McCowan, Rebecca McConnell, Mills and Zara McIlwaine (two).

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McKeever added: “A big thank you the competition organiser, Neal Johnston, from Ulster Rugby, along with Teah Maguire, the Girls’ Rugby Development Officer, but also to our school pupils, parents and supporters who gave up their time to come and be part of the occasion.”

Meanwhile, Ballyclare Secondary School lost 31-0 to Dromore High School in the Danske Bank U16 High Schools’ Trophy final.