Under 16 Cup: Belfast Royal Academy 17 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 54

Bob Given

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September 29, 2023

Belfast Royal Academy Rugby, RBAI Rugby, Schools Rugby, Schools U16 Cup, Uncategorized

The Under 16 Cup clash between BRA and Inst, postponed from Wednesday, because of the weather, was played on Thursday afternoon at Roughfort.

Dylan Morrow opened the scoring for Inst, with the 1st of his 3 tries

Playing with a strong wind, Inst quickly put the BRA defence under pressure and pinned them back. Dylan Morrow found space on the left and squeezed in for the opening Inst try after 7 minutes. He nailed the conversion from a narrow angle to put Inst up 7-0.

Andrew Purcell dots dow for Inst’s 2nd try

On 12 minutes Andrew Purcell dotted down on the left for a 2^nd Inst try. Morrow converted for a 14-0 lead. Inst continued to pile on the pressure. Luke Holland got over after 17 minutes, for Morrow to convert, for a 21-0 lead.

Elias Agbonkpolor grabbed a hat trick of tries for BRA

BRA eventually won possession and turned it into points, after 28 minutes, when Elias Agbonkpolor crashed over to reduce the deficit to 5-21.

Matthew Elliott scored for Inst, before half time

In the 2 remaining minutes of the half Inst conjured up 2 tries from Jonah Power and Matthew Elliott. Power added a conversion to put Inst up 33-5 at halftime.

After the break, playing into the wind Elliot added a 34^th minute try, converted by Power to move Inst out to 40-5.

Playing with the wind, BRA managed territory and possession and forced Inst back. Agbonkpolor added a 2^nd try from close range to pull BRA back to 10-40.

Luke McCausland’s 46^th minute try, followed by Morrow hat trick try, on 50 minutes, coupled with a pair of Morrow conversions, moved Inst out to 54-10.

BRA battled back and had the last say when Agbonkpolor collected his hat trick try in the final move of the game.

Inst were well worth their 54-17 win and look forward to their last group stage match, against Campbell College next week.