Graham won a gold medal in the over 81 kgs category, whilst Ryan gained a silver in the under 50 kgs category, both competing the day after representing the school at rugby against BRA, Graham for the Medallion A XV and Ryan for the under 13 A XV.

Both boys will now compete in the Irish Open to be held in Dublin in November and all at Wallace wish to congratulate them on their success and wish them good luck for the Irish Open in November.

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“Every time a parent, pupil, member of staff or governor from Wallace High School purchases a product or service from one of our Business Club members, the company in question will donate a percentage of that money back to the school”, explained Richard Lee, Sports’ Development Fundraiser at The Wallace High School.

The idea of a loyalty scheme is certainly not new, supermarket chains have been implementing similar schemes for decades, and many companies have referral schemes in place in return for cash back or discounts. In an era when sponsorship and grant funding is becoming increasingly difficult to find, the Business Club satisfies a need both for industry and the School.

The first project to be tackled is the construction of two synthetic turf hockey pitches which would replace two gravel hockey pitches at the School that have become increasingly obsolete as part of the modern game.

Currently the School has approximately six boys’ teams and twelve girls’ teams in the hockey club, transporting players out to several locations in Lisburn and Belfast on a daily basis for practice sessions. The arrival of two new hockey pitches will not only help develop hockey at the School and in the Lisburn area, but will inevitably help the school save money in the long run.

Deborah O’Hare, Principal, said of the scheme “Schools are faced with significant budgetary constraints and the grants available for sport, to date, have very restrictive eligibility criteria. The Board of Governors in Wallace, through their appointment of a Sports’ Fundraiser, Richard Lee, is determined to look at innovate ways to ensure the upkeep and improvement of sporting facilities. The interest shown by local companies in the Business Club has been most encouraging. “

The first ten companies to sign up to the Business Club are; Total Hockey, First Time Driving School, Professional Mortgage Solutions (NI), The Bayview Hotel, ROCO Auto Solutions, Positive Solutions, Pioneer Promotions, Charles Hurst, Curry’s Megastore Lisburn and Lisburn Fuels.

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Wallace then faced Ballyclare High in the final. Wallace started well with midfielders Michaela Neill, Olivia Harris and Elizabeth Watt supplying the forward line of Keziah Hood, Sian McBride and Victoria Kennedy with plenty of passes. However Ballyclare were always dangerous on the attack but centre back Julie Whitten and sweeper Joanne Stewart tackled well to break down the attacks and keeper Leah Young was in excellent form. Wallace won several corners but failed to convert them.

The score at half time was 0-0. In the second half Ballyclare began to dominate the Wallace circle but Adele Rodgers and Claire Elliott worked hard to prevent any goal scoring chances.Wallace won more corners but the Ballyclare keeper made a couple of good saves to keep the score level. Then with only thirty seconds to go Ballyclare broke through and scored to secure victory. The final score was 1-0.

This has been an excellent season for Wallace Girls Hockey with both senior teams reaching their cup finals. 2ndX1 squad- Leah Young, Joanne Stewart, Adele Rodgers, Julie Whitten, Claire Elliott, Elizabeth Young, Michaela Neill, Olivia Harris, Sian McBride(capt) Victoria Kennedy, Keziah Hood, Nikki Millar, Chloe Wilson, Rebecka Domincan.

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Wallace went into the lead from the outset as Chris Godfrey kicked a penalty. Wallace enjoyed significant territory and possession in the first half but it was Banbridge who got the next score with a converted try following a series of pick and drives.

Wallace replied with excellent work in the maul as the pack exerted their authority and Mark Hylands broke away to get the vital touchdown. Andrew Neely got a further try just before half time showing his pace and agility to go over in the corner following excellent work from Mark Hylands and Chris Nimmon.

Banbridge dominated the early exchanges after half time and would have scored but for a well organised and determined defensive effort with Richard Brownlee, Chris Hodgkinson, Chris Knowles, Dean Irvine and Nick Davis working hard around the fringes. Zack McCall carried superbly from number eight while Andrew Smyth, Adam Dickson and Daryl Corbett were threats in the backs.

Stephen Arneill got the last try as the Wallace maul again proved too powerful to leave the final score 18-7 to the delight of the large Wallace contingent.

This was an excellent way for The Wallace High School Upper Sixth 2ndXV players to finish their rugby careers at school and we all wish them well for the future. Also thanks should go to Ballynahinch RFC for hosting the final on a neutral venue and for providing an excellent post match supper.

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Both competitions took place in March, with the Irish gold won in Dublin and the British bronze last weekend in Sheffield, a fantastic achievement as over 450 competitors started this particular competition.

Graham, who trains with the Hazama Judo Club in Maghaberry, is understandably delighted with his success: “I would like to thank my coach, Mark Montgomery, for all his help along the way.

My ambition now is to compete at the British Championships again next year and win a gold medal. This is definitely achievable as I have two more years left in the under 16 category.”

Younger brother Ryan, himself a Year 8 pupil at Wallace has also performed very well in recent competitions, finishing fifth in both the Irish and British under 12 competitions. All at Wallace wish to congratulate both boys on their recent success.

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Shortly after half time Bangor kicked a long range penalty and this seemed to spur Wallace into action as Zach McCall powered over from close range. With two minutes remaining Bangor sealed the victory with another long range penalty. This was a disappointing season for Wallace 1stXV coming so close to beating MCB in The Schools’Cup and losing narrowly in the semi replay of The Shield.

The Wallace High School travelled to Dalriada last Friday with U12 A,B and U13A,B teams and came away with four wins. The U12As won by 24-7 with Isaac Gilkinson, Matthew Moore, Ian Simpson and Jamie Manderson putting in excellent performances. The try scorers were Gary Dillon (2), Sam McCormick and Matthew Miller. Matthew Pentland kicked three conversions.

The U12Bs won by 55-20. The try scorers were Josh Hamilton, Matthew Knox (3), Cameron Guiney (2), Lewis Taylor, Tonderai Msonza(2), Nathan Hull and David Hackett.

The U13A team won by 53-5 with Adam McCallum and Ikenna Nzewi both showing real pace in scoring three tries apiece. Jonny Stewart, Ben Finlay and Toby Kerr scored one each and Adam Heaps kicked four conversions to seal a comprehensive victory.

The U13B team won an enthralling encounter by 35-30 against Dalriada.

All four teams enjoyed a trip to The Jet Centre in Coleraine for bowling and a meal as the season came to a close.

The U14A team finished runners up in the prestigious RBAI tournament beating RS Dungannon, Banbridge Academy and Terenure College on the way to the final. They lost a tight match 12-10 to MCB.

This Saturday the U14s are participating in the O’Kane Ballymena Tournament as the rugby season comes to an end.

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The Lisburn lads had advanced comfortably to the semi final stage, having dispatched Bangor Grammar School 9 – 1 and Sullivan Upper 6 – 0 in earlier rounds, and faced a semi final clash with neighbours Friends on St Patrick’s Day at the Dub. A large crowd turned out to watch a close game which ended 1 – 1 after extra time, Jonathan Scott on target for Wallace.

This necessitated a replay on the following day at Lisnagarvey, where despite a disappointing first half and a 0 – 1 deficit, they showed great courage to overturn the performance and result and dominate the second half. Year 9 pupil Nathan Cartmill was the hero in this game with two clinical finishes from the top of the circle, one on the open stick and the other a fantastic reverse stick effort.

With little time to recover, the Wallace team were by far the better team in the final at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club. Having drawn both games against Banbridge Academy this season, a close game was anticipated and this was the way that the final turned out.

Wallace played a very pleasing style of hockey throughout the game with intricate, short passing which often cut the Banbridge defence to shreds, whereas Banbridge depended on the long ball out of defence. The Lisburn school created several clear cut chances throughout the game, although their best chance to win came in the first half of extra time when a Callum McCandless effort was superbly saved by the opposition keeper.

Unfortunately, with only minutes to go in the second period of extra time, Wallace conceded a disputed penalty corner and although Thomas Logan dealt comfortably with the initial shot, the rebound was dispatched low and hard into the bottom corner to end another Wallace hockey dream.

This was a difficult defeat for the players to deal with having played so well throughout. Goal keeper Thomas Logan was solid during the entire cup run and was supported superbly in the final by his centre backs Thomas McRoberts and young David Arneill. Captain Sean Murray, Ryan Getty and Mark McNellis were real driving forces in midfield and were instrumental in the pleasing style of hockey adopted by the team.

The boys will now go on to represent Ulster in the John Waring All Ireland Schools’ Competition at Lisnagarvey on Wednesday 6th April, some reward for an outstanding season. There they will face up to Banbridge again, as well as Dublin heavyweights St Andrew’s and Wesley College and two Munster representatives.

WALLACE FERRIS CUP SQUAD

Thomas Logan, David Arneill, Thomas McRoberts, Richard McCracken, Daryll Scott, Sean Murray (captain), Mark McNellis, Ryan Getty, Alex Nye, Callum McCandless, Jonathan Scott, Nathan Cartmill, Graham Allen, Matthew Peters, Stephen Crean
Coach: Mr David Simpson

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The hockey players defeated Sullivan 2 – 0, Rockport 6 – 0, Down High 1 – 0 and drew 0 – 0 with Friends in the group stage of their tournament before defeating Larne Grammar School 1 – 0 in the semi final. After a tough days hockey they were understandably tired before their final and lost 1 – 0 to Killycomaine who had played their group matches the day before. There was further good news for the Wallace team with Jasmine Kirkwood voted “Player of the Tournament” by the organisers.

The girls cross country team, captained by Amy Montgomery, won the Ulster title for the first time with their accumulated positions giving them a comfortable victory over the other competing teams.

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Outstanding play was shown by Michaela Neill the Wallace wing attack who was ably assisted by Alice Green in bringing the ball up the court to the two shooters Chantelle Thompson and Claudia Philpott. Both shooters were on form with Claudia showing her undoubted class in the run up to her Northern Ireland debut on Friday.

The Defence of Evie Dornan, Aimee Donaldson and Tamilla Matchett worked hard to put a very strong Methody attack under pressure.

At half time Methody led by 1 goal 16/15. Wallace began to pull ahead in the third quarter and took the lead 24/18. A change in the Wallace side, bringing on Laura Howard and Rachel Orr in the final quarter helped to keep pressure on and the final score was a convincing 30/24 win to the Lisburn side.

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A crowd of over 2000 people turned out to watch the pinnacle of schoolgirls’ sport and enjoyed a high standard and competitive game on a sun – splashed day in Hillsborough. Although Lurgan went into the game as slight favourites, there was a quiet determination within the Wallace squad that they could win the game and as it turned out they were not too far wrong.

Wallace conceded two early penalty corners in the first half, but brave defending and goalkeeping from the excellent Anna Jones meant that they got over their cup final nerves and worked their way into the game culminating in the Lisburn girls winning their own first penalty corner after 10 minutes. Unfortunately the corner broke down and a vital chance was gone.

The remainder of the half was dominated by Lurgan College who forced a further three penalty corners. However, Jones again stood firm, ably assisted by her captain Tessa Stewart and the excellent Jo Leathem.

The second half begun with Lurgan pressing hard for goals but again Jones, Stewart, Leathem and their defensive colleagues Tamilla Matchett and Steffi Baron resisted everything that Lurgan could throw at them from both open play and set pieces. After 23 minutes of the half, the hard working Lisa MacDonnell worked her way down the right hand side and skillfully won her team a penalty corner and a chance to snatch the lead with only seven minutes remaining.

Laura Murray managed to get a shot in and the rebound fell to Jade Neely who just failed to put the ball into the net. With only one minute left Lurgan missed their own chance for glory when resolute and last ditch defending denied them the late equaliser they so craved.

This took the game into extra time (10 minutes each way) and again Wallace were on the back foot, conceding a further 4 penalty corners which were all superbly defended. Rachel Morrow and the hard working Jade Neely were still asking questions of the Lurgan defence when given the opportunity, but Wallace were again indebted to skipper Stewart who brilliantly took a penalty corner off the line with only two minutes left, whilst the defensive routine again defended brilliantly to prevent their opponents scoring with the last hit of extra time.

Penalty strokes are never a nice way to lose a final although both teams had won in previous rounds on strokes, Wallace defeating Armagh Royal and Larne Grammar, whilst Lurgan defeated Banbridge Academy in the semi finals in the same way.

Lurgan scored their first through the inspirational Natalie Barr, whilst Lisa MacDonnell equalised for the Lisburn school. Anna Jones continued where she had left off in normal time by saving the next two, whilst Rachel Morrow and young Laura Murray both scored for Wallace.

This left Wallace with a great chance to win the cup, knowing that if Lurgan missed either of their last two and they scored one of theirs then the cup would be going to Wallace for the first time. The Lurgan penalty takers showed great courage to score their strokes, whilst Jo Leathem hit the post and Tessa Stewart missed for Wallace. The tension was now unbearable for both teams and the large group of supporters who had assembled from both schools.

Wallace missed their first sudden death stroke, but Jones again came to the rescue with a superb save to deny Irish under 18 international Barr. Another Wallace miss meant that the destiny of the cup was in Lurgan’s hands for the first time in the stroke competition and this time they made no mistake.

Wallace coach Maggie Hunter was understandably gutted after the game and paid credit to both teams: “It’s never nice to lose a game on strokes, especially one as important as this. I would like to congratulate Lurgan College on their victory but also to praise our girls for their performance throughout the brilliant cup run and particularly in this high pressure game today. I am so proud of what this young team has achieved and hope that it has given them the taste of playing in big games. I also want to thank my manager Louise MacDonnell who organises the fixtures for all teams in the school and who has really revelled in this cup run. Roll on next year.”

Captain Tessa Stewart was also disappointed but again proud of what her players have achieved: “To play in the final was a real dream come true for all of us and although we’re devastated at the loss we’re really proud of getting to the final. There were a few nerves flying about in the build up to the game but the girls handled the pressure brilliantly and gave a superb account of themselves.”

As a Year 14 pupil Tessa and several of her team mates also headed to the school formal after, something she was also looking forward to. “Two of the things that I have always wanted to do at school are to go to the formal and play in the Schoolgirls’ Cup final. To get both on the same day is something else and I suppose helps us deal with the disappointment of not making school history. We’ll enjoy the night and reflect on the road to the final tomorrow and of what we have all achieved as a squad.”

Wallace Principal Deborah O’Hare, herself a former winner of the cup congratulated both schools: “I should like to pass on my congratulations to Lurgan College on winning the Schoolgirls’ Cup. I thought that both teams played superbly whilst the supporters from both schools created a superb atmosphere. From a Wallace point of view I am obviously disappointed for the team, but wish to congratulate them on their fine achievement in getting to the final, I am very proud of them all. I should also like to thank both Maggie Hunter and Louise MacDonnell and all the other hockey coaches in the school who have helped the players reach their full potential.”

WALLACE SQUAD: Anna Jones, Jo Leathem, Tessa Stewart (captain), Tamilla Matchett, Steffi Baron, Jenny Emerson, Lisa MacDonnell, Jade Neely, Laura Murray, Rachel Morrow, Laura Howard, Nikki Millar, Julie Whitten, Keziah Hood, Michaela Neill and Leah Young.

Wallace High School 0 Lurgan College 0 (after extra time). Lurgan won 4 – 3 on sudden death penalty strokes.

Photos by Joy Wells.

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