Ulster Bank has announced a two year extension to its sponsorship of the Ulster Schools Cricket Cup at the draw for the opening rounds of next summer's competition.

Eight schools have receive a bye into the second  round with holders Royal Belfast Academical Institution  enjoying a home tie against either Bangor Grammar School or Lurgan College.

Photo right shows Mark McKelvey (left) Belfast CEO of Ulster Bank announced a two year extension of the Bank's Schools' Cricket Cup at yesterday's Draw for the opening rounds. Also pictured are Dr. Murray Power (centre) Chairman of the Schools' Committee and Richard Johnson, Vice-President of the Northern Cricket Union.

Only one second round game will feature two seeded teams with last year's runners up Wallace High School making the short journey to Friends School in a Lisburn derby.

The first round draw is:
A: RBAI Seconds v Limavady Grammar School
B: Sullivan Upper v Down High School
C: Bangor GS v Lurgan College
D: Antrim GS v Grosvenor GS
E: Carrickfergus GS v Belfast High School
F: Regent House v Campbell College
G: Royal School Armagh v Strabane Academy

Second round:
A  v  Ballymena Academy
B  v  Belfast Royal Academy
RBAI v C
D  v  Methodist College Belfast
Coleraine GS v E
F  v  Foyle College
Ballyclare High School v G
Friends School v Wallace High School

(Photo © Rowland White)