Formation of Instonians RFC
The Club was formed in 1919 as a section within
Belfast Old Instonians Association (B.O.I.A.)
B.O.I.A was itself formed in 1911, its membership
being made up from ex-pupils of the Royal
Belfast Academical Institution (R.B.A.I.),
one of the leading schools in Great Britain
and Ireland since 1810. The school colours
are Black and Yellow. These were adopted by
the Old Boys Club but with the addition of
"mourning" purple in recognition
of the 32 ex-pupils of the school who had
died in the Great War.
1st XV Achievements
Having won the Ulster Junior League in their
first year 1919-20, they were admitted to
Ulster Senior League for 1920-21. Subsequent
honours include:
Ulster Senior Cup 20 Outright Wins
Ulster Senior Championship 6 Outright Wins,
4 Joint Wins
Bateman Cup (Irish Championship) Winners 1926
- 27
All Ireland Floodlit Trophy Winners 1993 -
94
Division II A.I.L. Winners 1993 - 94
Members Personal Achievements
Full Irish Caps 31 Players
Total No. of Caps 126
Irish A & B Caps 5 Players
IRFU Presidents 3
Ulster Branch Presidents 8
British Lions 7 (2 Captains - Sammy Walker
& Robin Thompson)
IRB Presidents 1
It is interesting to note that including the
above, the record of ex RBAI pupils is 72
Full Irish Caps & 10 British Lions
Three ex-R.B.A.I. boys played in the Lions
team that won the third test in South Africa
in 1938. (Could you name them?)
More Recent Milestones in the Clubs
History
1989-1990
- Qualified for AIL Div.1
1990-1991
- Opened Membership to non-ex RBAI pupils.
Finished 3rd in Div.1
1992-1993
- Relegated to AIL Div.2
1993-1994
- Won AIL Div.2. Promoted to AIL Div.1
1994-1995
- Relegated to AIL Div.2
1996-1997
- Relegated to AIL Div.3
1999-2000
- Finished 2nd in Div.3. Tied playoff. Portadown
retained Div.2 status as the team in the higher
division.
2002-2003
- Finished 2nd in Div.3. (Only one team promoted
due to League reorganisation)
2004-2005
- Finished 3rd in Div.3. Won AIL semi final
play-off against Clonakilty. Beaten in AIL
3 Final by Greystones at Lansdowne Road
2005-2006
- Finished 5th in Div.3
The Club played at the School grounds (Bladon
& Osborne) until Shane Park opened in
1965 and moved to Shaw's Bridge in 1999.
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