The year 8 rugby team enjoyed a good debut season fielding A, B and C teams on Friday afternoons throughout the year, with more than 40 boys representing the school on different occasions.

The boys had a successful start with hard fought home victories for both the A and B teams against Dalriada. The squad then travelled to Foyle for a blitz in October. The A team lost their first game against Dalriada but wins against Ballymena Academy and Foyle saw them finish in 3rd place. It was a similar story for the Bs, losing to Dalriada and beating Coleraine GS and Ballymena Academy. It was the first run out of the season for the C team, winning their two group games and then drawing with Coleraine in the final. The final action before the Christmas break was a home fixture when all three teams faced off against Foyle. The As and Cs both won their games comfortably and the Bs suffered a narrow defeat.

In the new year the As and Bs travelled to Dalriada for a mini blitz where they both came out victorious against Cambridge House before losing close games against the hosts.

There were two more home fixtures in February against Foyle and Rainey before the competitive side of the season was brought to a close in March with two tournaments in the space of a week at Coleraine GS.

In the NEEBSA tournament, the A team finished 3rd in a tough group, beating Antrim GS. They then went on to win the bowl competition with victories over Larne GS in the semi-final and Foyle in the final.

The B team, captained by Carter Lunn, had a very good day winning two of their three group games to progress to the semi-final where they beat Foyle before losing by a golden try in extra time against Ballyclare HS.

The C team also won two games against Cullybackey HS and Ballyclare Secondary School.

The boys were back in Coleraine a few days later when they played six matches, winning one, drawing three and losing two, eventually finishing as runners up in the bowl competition.

Well done to all the boys who lined out for the teams this year, many of whom had never played rugby before. The squad was captained by Ethan Kennedy who led by example throughout the season and there were also notable performances for the A team from player of the year Luke Blair, top try scorer Jack Morrow, Noah Carotte and James McLaughlin. There were also some standout performances in the B team from player of the year Evan Burns, Adam Martin, Carter Lunn, Joe Cooper and Norrie Stewart.

Thanks to coaches Andrew Lemon and Ryan Kennedy for all their efforts throughout the year.

Mr Ryan Kennedy

Coach