The Ulster Schools’ Cup is a prestigious rugby tournament played at school level with the final held each year at Ravenhill. Started in 1876 it continues today and attracts a lot of attention in the local rugby world with the players seen very much as the stars of tomorrow. The footage in this clip shows the 1963 tournament between Belfast Royal Academy and Rainey Endowed School from Magherafelt. As there is no sound on the footage and the ebb and flow of the scoring in the game is not clear, we can give a spoiler to the score and reveal that the thrilling contest ended in a draw. Having rushed to an 8-0 half-time lead, BRA found themselves on the end of a dogged comeback by Rainey who levelled at 8-8 and looked like pushing for a winner. In the end the trophy was shared. It was BRA’s third consecutive final but they failed to convert any of them into a win, drawing on each occasion.

An Ulster Television Production.

• Broadcasting Authority Ireland