|Schools cup 2017

[jamsodonnell]

On Saturday 18th February, there were 4 Schools Cup games and 4 Subsidiary Shield games. This makes 16 teams in total. 15 were available to play on the pre arranged date. Most of those Schools also arrange ski trips too but not on Cup dates. Why ? because they have those dates well in advance. One School gambled and lost. Decision was taken by Schools Committee, a group of Schoolteachers not "Old suits " as quoted on other media. This was a no brainer. I sympathise with the Friends players. Not their fault.

[Russ]

Right we should all probably leave the Schools Cup thread before it descends to the joke levels of the actual Schools Cup

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On Saturday 18th February, there were 4 Schools Cup games and 4 Subsidiary Shield games. This makes 16 teams in total. 15 were available to play on the pre arranged date. Most of those Schools also arrange ski trips too but not on Cup dates. Why ? because they have those dates well in advance. One School gambled and lost. Decision was taken by Schools Committee, a group of Schoolteachers not "Old suits " as quoted on other media. This was a no brainer. I sympathise with the Friends players. Not their fault.

Didn't take long

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[Blow in]

Strange fact RBAI have knocked CCB out of every rugby cup this season 1,2,3 and medallion

So semi final predictions:

RBAI v Ballymena, haven't played each other this season and lots of players from med shield 3 years ago, going on rankings should be RBAI but too close too call

MCB v BRA on form and on previous meetings about as much of a one sided game as you could get. MCB by at least 35 points

[Rooster]

Yes- Four big schools that didn't book a ski trip on quarter final weekend. Good win for MCB away. RBAI against Ballymena is a tight one.

MCB scraped a win near the end pastie, the real final this year is RBAI v Ballymena Academy

[Russ]

Yes- Four big schools that didn't book a ski trip on quarter final weekend. Good win for MCB away. RBAI against Ballymena is a tight one.

MCB scraped a win near the end pastie, the real final this year is RBAI v Ballymena Academy

I wonder how many fellas will give up the game come March 18

I wonder how many already have

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[Rooster]

Yes- Four big schools that didn't book a ski trip on quarter final weekend. Good win for MCB away. RBAI against Ballymena is a tight one.

MCB scraped a win near the end pastie, the real final this year is RBAI v Ballymena Academy

I wonder how many fellas will give up the game come March 18

I wonder how many already have

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Most of the city boys

[BaggyTrousers]

I understand that is the way all the "big schools" work for the future of rugby players. Make their school rugby experience a bloody misery, take all the enjoyment out of the game for them and they win a schools cup game or two, maybe the whole shebang and can't wait until rugby is something they used to play. But hey, look they've turned out winners again this year, take a step up the salary scale.

Well, of course, that is just what I'm told, what would I know I'm a bloody coffin-dodger and by and large hate yutes.

NB I'm hopeful that I am misinformed and that many teachers can take pride in what they do for their young players. I bloody well hope I'm wrong.

[Blow in]

Yes- Four big schools that didn't book a ski trip on quarter final weekend. Good win for MCB away. RBAI against Ballymena is a tight one.

MCB scraped a win near the end pastie, the real final this year is RBAI v Ballymena Academy

I wonder how many fellas will give up the game come March 18

I wonder how many already have

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[Beattiespastie]

Rooster, cannot argue with you mate. Saw MCB early season and didn't see them getting too far though strangely enough I watched a couple of second XV games and thought they had a lot of good youngsters in the squad. MCB had two tight games away to Down and Armagh so fair play to them for coming through both. RBAI should win the semi and the final given their impressive representative side. RUSS- I completely agree with you mate- a significant number of lads will never pick a rugby ball again , my young lad won schools cups and couldn't wait to get away from rugby- his choice and I fully backed him.

[Russ]

Rooster, cannot argue with you mate. Saw MCB early season and didn't see them getting too far though strangely enough I watched a couple of second XV games and thought they had a lot of good youngsters in the squad. MCB had two tight games away to Down and Armagh so fair play to them for coming through both. RBAI should win the semi and the final given their impressive representative side. RUSS- I completely agree with you mate- a significant number of lads will never pick a rugby ball again , my young lad won schools cups and couldn't wait to get away from rugby- his choice and I fully backed him.

Top lad

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[BaggyTrousers]

Rooster, cannot argue with you mate. Saw MCB early season and didn't see them getting too far though strangely enough I watched a couple of second XV games and thought they had a lot of good youngsters in the squad. MCB had two tight games away to Down and Armagh so fair play to them for coming through both. RBAI should win the semi and the final given their impressive representative side. RUSS- I completely agree with you mate- a significant number of lads will never pick a rugby ball again , my young lad won schools cups and couldn't wait to get away from rugby- his choice and I fully backed him.

I'm assuming he went to MCB then?

[Blow in]

Rooster, cannot argue with you mate. Saw MCB early season and didn't see them getting too far though strangely enough I watched a couple of second XV games and thought they had a lot of good youngsters in the squad. MCB had two tight games away to Down and Armagh so fair play to them for coming through both. RBAI should win the semi and the final given their impressive representative side. RUSS- I completely agree with you mate- a significant number of lads will never pick a rugby ball again , my young lad won schools cups and couldn't wait to get away from rugby- his choice and I fully backed him.

I'm assuming he went to MCB then?

Obviously can't speak for everybody but AFAIK none of the RBAI lads who have played in the last couple of finals have given up rugby, there's quite a few playing at Instonians and a good lot over the water playing at Uni and a couple out in NZ. That they don't get picked up at ulster age grade is a different matter.

There seems to be quite a few give up rugby from MCB though. Not sure why.
But also a good few who make the ulster set up

[Blow in]

Semi final 1

RBAI 41-8 Ballymena Academy

Pretty emphatic win, wasn't expecting such a wide margin

[therealspratt]

Rooster, cannot argue with you mate. Saw MCB early season and didn't see them getting too far though strangely enough I watched a couple of second XV games and thought they had a lot of good youngsters in the squad. MCB had two tight games away to Down and Armagh so fair play to them for coming through both. RBAI should win the semi and the final given their impressive representative side. RUSS- I completely agree with you mate- a significant number of lads will never pick a rugby ball again , my young lad won schools cups and couldn't wait to get away from rugby- his choice and I fully backed him.

I'm assuming he went to MCB then?

Obviously can't speak for everybody but AFAIK none of the RBAI lads who have played in the last couple of finals have given up rugby, there's quite a few playing at Instonians and a good lot over the water playing at Uni and a couple out in NZ. That they don't get picked up at ulster age grade is a different matter.

There seems to be quite a few give up rugby from MCB though. Not sure why.
But also a good few who make the ulster set up

Instonians have been very proactive in trying to get the schools lads to keep playing.

[shamalicious]

Semi final 1

RBAI 41-8 Ballymena Academy

Pretty emphatic win, wasn't expecting such a wide margin

;-(

Inst were very well drilled and BA seemed to have a dose of the yips, knocking on when they got anywhere near the line. Poor lads looked devastated. Schools cup is tough on those boys! Well done to the Inst boys.