Rice College and Marist Athlone put on a Rocky-style titlefight on Tuesday afternoon, and while neither claimed Balboa or Creed naming rights, they followed suit with the film and set up a rematch royale.

The magnificent battle ended 15-points apiece, Westport and Athlone's schoolboy finest unable to break the deadlock in the final quarter.

Supermacs Connacht Schools cup rugby (if not rugby in general this winter) has suffered from the elements, waterlogged pitches and study schedules negating many a fixture.

On Tuesday in Carrowholly however, the high-school rugby senior heavyweights unleashed their own elements for a spectacle easily-applicable to a grand final, let alone semi.

Domestic Rugby manager and Westport club stalwart Lyndon Jones praised both camps on their performances. While Marist looked the more complete team more often, he said, Rice College paid little heed to big name reputations opposite and simply refused to lose.

The semi-final shifts camp next time round to Athlone, where Marist will try to hammer home the advantage Rice had this week.

Heineken Cup and Plate survivors negotiate another cull this weekend, Loughrea and Carrick the ones to watch. 

Loughrea, the only non-premier semi-finalist in the headline competition, meet Ballina. And while Loughrea plays host this weekend, it may offer cold comfort given Ballina may well be as happy to go on the road. Ballina, confined to the sticky conditions of the weather-beaten far north now since Christmas, are chomping at the bit to throw a ball about a pitch more-resembling a billiard table than a peat bog.

Carrick-on-Shannon, in the Plate, have a tough ask at Corinthian Park against a division one entry denied much luck this winter. Drawn against nearby neighbours Galwegians in round one, Corinthians made an ignominious exit from Heineken Connacht Junior Cup shortly after they entered it, and have a sizeable point to prove. While the N17ers will be wearing their traditional strip on the weekend, they may not be the only ones black and blue come full time.

All Cup and Plate games play out this weekend, except Corrib and Dunmore (4 March), while Corrib ticks off an outstanding league fixture.

They are as follows: 

Loughrea v Ballina, 3pm, Loughrea.  Galwegians v Monivea, 3pm, Glenina/Galway.

Ballinasloe v Gort, 3pm, Ballinasloe.  Tuam v Sligo, 3pm, Tuam RFC.  Corinthians v Carrick-on-Shannon, 3pm, Cloonacauneen/Galway.

Monivea's quest for glory stumbled once again for the second time in as mamny years, at the final hurdle down 3-9 to Tullamore.

It was at least the third winter in succession (a semi-final loss in 2010) where fate and fortune snubbed the hapless Monivea. So dominant in the Coleraine semi-final, the Monivea forwards were amply-matched on Dubarry Park by the visitors. That said, Monivea's heavies were probably the dominant force. They were able to hold out their Tullamore counterparts who enjoyed the best part of half an hour's possession in the final's first two quarters.

While miraculous that Tullamore never crossed the red-and-black line, it was hardly a "miracle", per se.

Monivea's pack is much-renowned for its uncompromising fortitude, and has been for years. They may not boast the slickest handlers or slipperiest tearaways, but what they lack in individual flair they more than compensate for in hardnosed determination and rarely look more at home than in the mud and muck of their own redzone.

Monivea stalwart Dermot Cowman praised the defensive mettle on show, but added depth was the difference; Tullamore possessing more of it across the board.

"They were very strong, but they were strong from one to 15, and had a bulky bench too. I wouldn't say we had weak links as such, but to a man they perhaps had more collective muscle.

"It didn't help that we turned over quite a bit of ball at inopportune times too, it's something we haven't tended to do before. It was a bit of a shock to the system."

Manager Mike Connors said the AIL's rolling sub system suited the visitors to a tea.

"They were a very big side, you get big guys playing junior rugby sure, but to have such bulk throughout the team and then be able to recycle them freely meant they were a tough enough mob to deal with from start to the bitter end," he said.

Neither Cowman nor Connors found too much ground on which to criticise Monivea, Saturday's final simply a case of clutching and converting any and all opportunities.

The fact three different Tullamore backs dropped goals pushed the final into the history books, an outhalf, a centre and a wing.

"I've seen a good bit of junior rugby in my time, and I've certainly never seen three dropgoals from three players," Connors said on Monday.

Sadly, for Connacht junior rugby's shining light, the AIL Junior Cup was yet another carrot snaffled by yet another mule. And whereas Monivea unofficially banked the league title several weeks back, the local league/Heineken Cup double is a prize which may least soften the sting, if it goes their way.

It's a prize conspicuously absent from their recent history too. While bumps and bruises will heal, disappointment and frustration are wounds best treated by winning.

Time will tell whether Monivea summer this year with a smile, or the faraway look of "if only" in their eyes.

Sligo's Glasshouse Hotel hosts Sligo Rugby's Fundraising Auction on Sunday, from 3pm, February 19.

More than 200 lots including paintings, furniture, hotel & restaurant vouchers, sports memorabilia and more go under the hammer.

It promises to be a great event, and of course all for a great cause. Reserve prices have been grounded, everything can and must go. All items have been donated from all quarters of the Sligo support base.

We are asking all friends of Sligo Rugby Club to come along with family and friends and support our auction!

Details of donated lots may be found on www.sligorfc.ie

http://www.sligorfc.ie/

Followers of Sligo Rugby's senior team, they are AWAY to Banbridge RFC this Saturday at 2.30pm.

All support is welcome.

Westport 17 beat Galwegians 13

Tuam hosted the eagerly-awaited Connacht Under17 Division One league final on Saturday, Westport emerging worthy winners four points clear.

It was a textbook finish to a high-octane winter for the Under17s and showcased all that is good about Connacht youths rugby. Bone-crunching tackles, undying commitment, skill, tenacity and flair combined for the grandest of finales. Partisan support camps and excellent refereeing throughout only added to the spectacle.

Both teams struggled early as nerves affected handling, but as they acclimatised to the occasion 15minutes in, each gave all those attending ample cause to cheer.

Galwegians asserted ascendancy at scrumtime gifting their backs go-forward ball to attack from deep. Dwayne Corcoran in the Westport midfield rose to the challenge however, and snuffed out the first promising foray by the baby blues, latching on to an intercept and making short work of the space between the ball and the goal-line to put Westport 7-0 ahead.

The early wake-up jolted ‘Wegians into action. Galwegians hooker Kieran Gavin rallied his troops and ably-backed by Harry Power and flanker Liam McKnight fought their way into Westport territory and won a penalty. It went unconverted.

Good field position heaped further pressure on Westport and in the ensuing passage fullback Eamonn Brannigan scorched over in the corner to squeeze the deficit to two. Rory Murphy and Edward Dunning in Westport’s second-row countered from the restart leading the charge into ‘Wegians territory, and won a penalty for their toil. The failed radar which plagued Galwegians’ first two shots was back on track for Westport who stretched the lead to five.

The tide surged back ‘Wegians way immediately as play camped deep in Westport territory. Only resolute defence from prop Pat O’Toole and hulking eight Michael O’Grady denied them any points. Brannigan for Galwegians managed another three before the break, 10-8 Westport’s way at half-time.

Westport outhalf Sean Tobin and centre Patrick Galvey shone in defence for the Mayo men but a fleeting chink in the armour saw Galwegians lock Eoghan Hannon charge down the clearance, regather and score for the Glenina youngsters.

Galwegians went three ahead 13-10 as a result, their first time in front.

Westport’s response was swift and devastating.

Kieran Coughlan fielded the restart and surged 20metres through the oncoming defence, offloaded to Dwayne Corcoran at his shoulder who steered clear of the cover for a peach of a try. Converted, the score pushed Westport four points clear 17-13 – as it remained till the finish.

Galwegians made a late and desperate rally in the final quarter launching 5m scrum after 5m scrum and tap penalty assault against stoic Westport defence.

Westport advance now to the All-Ireland series in April where league winners from around the country will compete for national honours. On Saturday’s form, Westport has all the makings of a champion outfit.

Pitch conditions: important notice

Connacht Rugby wishes to remind all affiliate members it is the host club's responsibility to ensure any and all playing areas meet minimum match standards.

While clubs must undertake all reasonable efforts to ensure pitch viability, if club officials feel the pitch is unplayable for whatever reason, they must contact the branch with their concerns and a pitch inspection will be undertaken.

No pitch-related cancellation, amendment or postponement may be effected without Branch input and approval. Failure to observe established protocols may result in sanctions against one of or both the clubs and/or teams involved.