RUGBY: ULSTER SCHOOLS' SENIOR CUP FINAL: Campbell College v RBAI:BOTH CAMPBELL College and RBAI have had an element of luck in reaching the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Cup final this afternoon.
Campbell, after eliminating Regent House 31-0, needed two replays with Methodist College before emerging victors 8-3.
The first two ties finished tied 10-10, and in the first replay Methody missed a last-kick-of-the- game conversion right in front of the posts for victory. The Belmont team went on to defeat Ballyclare High 42-8 in the semi-final.
Inst started with a flattering 23-6 success against Dalriada but needed eight points in the final four minutes to force a 14-14 draw against Armagh Royal. They then won the replay 19-13 at Osborne Park, before overcoming Coleraine Inst 20-8 in the semi-final.
Campbell are packed with talent and have three Irish Schools’ players, Christopher Farrell, John Creighton and Rory Scholes. They also have eight others who have played for Ulster at under-18 or under-19 level.
Inst do not have as many individual “stars” but have combined well as a team. In the past they have started slowly but recently have improved immensely and should have the better pack.
This is where the final will be won or lost as Campbell will need possession for their superior backs to show their capabilities.
An intriguing final between teams that have not met at this stage for 31 years. Inst have won the trophy 29 times, seven more than Campbell, but will have their work cut out to add to that total.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE SQUAD:R Scholes, R Haldane, C Best, C Farrell, M Rogers, J Creighton (capt), G Baillie, S McBrien, K Adams, R Taylor, J Cooke, G Crooks, M Best, JF Bester, C Gallagher, E Vollands, C Jordan, R Greenwood, S Moffett, T Bill, C McGlade B Sloan.
RBAI SQUAD: M Madill, J McClure, N Brown, N Dougan, K McLean, G Lawlor, M McGuigan, M Keane, M Taylor, P Bell (capt), Z Welshman, P Anderson, B Alexander, M Kilpatrick, J Martin, A Browne, A Roulston, M Mairs, T Dowling, D Clegg, R Keane, C Neill.
Referee: M Black.
