Pack Power Gives Campbell The Edge
A superb performance from their well drilled pack gave Campbell College a deserved triumph in yesterday’s Renault-sponsored Ulster Schools Cup final at a sun-drenched Ravenhill.
Campbell were the more disciplined, at set pieces, they managed to turnover a lot of ball and time and again disrupted the Methody lineout. But in the end they almost saw victory snatched from their grasp when Ryan Duffy’s penalty came back off an upright in the final minute of a great game.
Methody, after a quiet opening half upped the ante in the second. By then they by trailed 12-3, four penalties converted by Campbell outhalf Thomas Horner, Campbell having led 9-3 at half time, Duffy landing Methody’s only score up until that stage.
Then, a after a sustained bout of Methody pressure almost brought a try in the 52nd minute, Methody achieved their breakthrough in the 26th minute when their outstanding full back, Mark Kettyle, crept crossed following a clever pass from Robbie Sloan.
Duffy added the points and set the scene for a dramatic finish.
Campbell College: J Cartmill; J Moutray, R Rea, P McCausland, B Elliot; T Horner, P Wallace; R Kelso, C Thalion, A Stewart, M Willis, J Andress, E Uzoigwe, G Moore, N McComb (capt)
Methodist College: M Kettyle; O Crossey, M Scott, J McCloughlin, R Duffy; L McCadden, R Sloan; C Graham, R Walsh, R Gleadhill, M Williams (capt), M Graham, S Minnis , D Benny, S Workman.
Referee: P Eakin (Ulster Branch).