RBAI...11 Methodist College...6: RBAI confirmed their status as the outstanding side in Ulster Schools' rugby by lifting the Junior Cup in a pulsating match at Ravenhill yesterday.
RBAI have beaten the best sides in Ulster and Leinster on a 23-match unbeaten run this season but they had to work hard for this victory against a Methody side who put on a brilliant defensive display and who always kept their composure despite being under intense pressure for long periods.
Methody made the early running and they took the lead with two penalties from fullback Christopher Quinn but the scores only served to fire RBAI up and they proceeded to lay siege to the opposition line with 10 minutes of relentless attacks finally producing an unconverted try for Michael Hawthorne just before the break.
RBAI took a stranglehold on the game in the second half with Richard McNeely causing the Methody defence problems every time he got the ball but the defending champions deserve immense credit for staging a superb rearguard action.
RBAI finally took the lead after 43 minutes when outhalf Richard McCarthy kicked a neat drop goal and when their hard-hitting pack forced a penalty Danny Glover extended their advantage with eight minutes to go.
RBAI: M Hawthorne; A James, D Glover, J Bennett, M Bittles; R McCarthy, R Kirk; G Elliott, J Lusk; M Boyd, A Boyd, L Linton, M Browne, M Jones (capt), R McNeely. Replacement: J Davis for Jones (41 mins).
METHODIST: C Quinn; G Morrison, M Wheatley-Smith, C O'Kane, A Bell; D Elliott, S Bell (capt); D Weir, P Jackson, T McIntyre, J Kernaghan, A Macklin, D Murphy, C Kitson, D Milligan.
Referee: B McLawrence (Ulster Branch)
