Allen-Inspired Methody Claim Ulster Title
Centre Michael Allen scored a try in each half as Methodist College lifted the Northern Bank Ulster Schools Senior Cup trophy courtesy of a 16-0 victory over RBAI in Tuesday’s final at Ravenhill.
2008/09 NORTHERN BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP FINAL: Tuesday, March 17
METHODIST COLLEGE 16 ROYAL BELFAST ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION 0, Ravenhill
Scorers: Methody: Tries: Michael Allen 2; Pens: Paddy Robinson 2
RBAI: –
Ireland Under-18 Schools international Michael Allen showed his class as his two-try salvo helped Methodist College collect their 32nd Ulster Senior Cup title in 60 finals.
RBAI battled right until the final whistle but the game’s two defining moments came when man-of-the-match Allen scooted clear of the cover for his two individual tries.
Methody led from the 11th minute onwards, after centre Paddy Robinson had converted a penalty awarded for a ruck infringement.
Five minutes later, Allen was celebrating his first try. Methody managed to recycle quickly after an up-and-under and Allen was on hand to break a series of tackles and muscle his way over in the right corner.
Robinson was narrowly wide with his conversion attempt but succeeded in kicking a 20th minute penalty to extend his side’s lead to 11-0.
RBAI were more composed after the break and were able to work through the phases, putting the eventual winners under a good deal of pressure.
They stuck to their task valiantly but when flanker Zach Welshman was sin-binned for coming in at the side of a ruck, Inst were really up against it.
Wind-backed Methody took full advantage. A knock on by Darryl Maxwell near the Methody 22 gave Allen a chance to counter attack and he needed no second invitation as he went on a powerful run, showing a clean pair of heels to the Inst backs before touching down.
The conversion was missed and the yellow card tally was taken to three when Methody’s Patrick McKee and RBAI hooker David McGovern were carded for their part in an altercation.
RBAI rallied in pirsuit of a consolation score, yet there was no denying Methody as they held firm to win their third Senior Cup final in four seasons.
METHODY: B McIlroy; T Turkington-Thompson, M Allen, P Robinson, C Gilroy; P Jackson, M Heaney; C Carey, G Reilly, R Harrison, P McKee, R Gilmore, M Edgar, S Leckey, N Annett (capt).
Replacements: P McCluggage, P Bingham, S McIntosh, L Kernaghan, R Martin, D Martin, F Halliday.
RBAI: P Irwin; M Wright, S McAllister, R McCurry, M McAuley; P Magee, N Andrew; D Maxwell (capt), D McGovern, R Sheard, A Andress, M Kilpatrick, P Vincent, Z Welshman, P Marks.
Replacements: C Neill, H Martin, P Bell, R Tan, J Carlisle, T Acheson, M McGuigan.
Referee: Mark Hermin (Ulster)