Campbell College, Belfast, have secured their 24th outright Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup title, thanks to a clinical win over the Royal School Armagh at Kingspan Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final:
The Royal School Armagh 13 Campbell College, Belfast 19
The Royal School Armagh, who accounted for reigning champions RBAI in the semi-finals, were appearing in their first decider since 2004, and they put in a spirited display throughout. However, Campbell College put in another hugely impressive defensive display that frustrated their opponents and ultimately laid the platform for their success.
In a high octane first half with no shortage of big carries and equally big tackles, the first clear scoring opportunity came off the tee for Armagh’s Zac Thompson on 19 minutes. The centre struck his 35m penalty well, but it pulled just to the right of the posts.
Indeed, it was the final play of the first half before the deadlock was broken, when Campbell scrum-hall Dara Gaskin nipped through from 5 metre out to give his side a 0-5 lead at the break.
The Armagh boys flew out of the blocks in the second half, with a superb break from centre Matthew Reaney taking them up to the 5m line, forcing a penalty which Thompson fired over.
On 41 minutes Campbell fullback Conor Rankin had an opportunity to respond with a penalty of his own, but could only watch his goal kick from near half way drift wide.
With Armagh well in the ascendancy, Campbell struck a killer blow on 50 minutes. Against the run of play, Rankin booted through a loose ball before gathering himself to dive over, before adding the extra points to make it 3-12.
Armagh responded in impressive fashion once again, forcing more last gasp tackles from the Campbell rearguard, before another indiscretion which Thompson punished with his second penalty.
On 65 minutes Campbell winger Will Davis scored what proved to be the game winning try, finding a gap in the middle of the Armagh defence to dart in under the posts. Rankin added the simple conversion to open up a 6-19 lead.
In the final minute, Ben Lavery scored a superb individual try, taking a great line down the right wing before cutting in to beat several defenders and touch down under pressure. Thompson drop-kicked the conversion as the Armagh players aimed for a heroic comeback, however a knock-on from the restart signaled the final whistle and scenes of celebration for the Campbell players and coaching team.
TEAMS
The Royal School Armagh
(1-8): Jack Chapman, Jack Treanor (Captain), Archie McAlpine, Jonny Agnew, Samuel King, Aaron Woods, Graham Crawford, Ryan O’Neill;
(9-15): Charlie Worth, Romain Morrow, Nicholas Jennings, Matthew Reaney, Zac Thompson, Oliver Webb, Michael Campbell.
Replacements: Sam Rainey, Adam Edgar, Jude Roberts, Ryan Finlay, Josh King, Ben Lavery, Callum Whiteside, Peter Taylor.
Campbell College
(1-8): John McKee (Captain), Harry Jenkins, Patrick McAlpine, Oisin Kiernan, John Harrison, Jack Stinson, Sam Robinson, Tobi Olaniyan;
(9-15): Dara Gaskin, Oscar Yandall, Rex Tinsley, Ben Power, Jamie Macartney, Will Davis, Conor Rankin
Replacements: John Gildea, Matthew Carlisle, Matthew Poor, James Johnston, Jamie Brennan, Lucas Yandall, Harry Owens, Kieran Robertson.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final:
The Royal School Armagh 13 Campbell College, Belfast 19
The Royal School Armagh, who accounted for reigning champions RBAI in the semi-finals, were appearing in their first decider since 2004, and they put in a spirited display throughout. However, Campbell College put in another hugely impressive defensive display that frustrated their opponents and ultimately laid the platform for their success.
In a high octane first half with no shortage of big carries and equally big tackles, the first clear scoring opportunity came off the tee for Armagh’s Zac Thompson on 19 minutes. The centre struck his 35m penalty well, but it pulled just to the right of the posts.
Indeed, it was the final play of the first half before the deadlock was broken, when Campbell scrum-hall Dara Gaskin nipped through from 5 metre out to give his side a 0-5 lead at the break.
The Armagh boys flew out of the blocks in the second half, with a superb break from centre Matthew Reaney taking them up to the 5m line, forcing a penalty which Thompson fired over.
On 41 minutes Campbell fullback Conor Rankin had an opportunity to respond with a penalty of his own, but could only watch his goal kick from near half way drift wide.
With Armagh well in the ascendancy, Campbell struck a killer blow on 50 minutes. Against the run of play, Rankin booted through a loose ball before gathering himself to dive over, before adding the extra points to make it 3-12.
Armagh responded in impressive fashion once again, forcing more last gasp tackles from the Campbell rearguard, before another indiscretion which Thompson punished with his second penalty.
On 65 minutes Campbell winger Will Davis scored what proved to be the game winning try, finding a gap in the middle of the Armagh defence to dart in under the posts. Rankin added the simple conversion to open up a 6-19 lead.
In the final minute, Ben Lavery scored a superb individual try, taking a great line down the right wing before cutting in to beat several defenders and touch down under pressure. Thompson drop-kicked the conversion as the Armagh players aimed for a heroic comeback, however a knock-on from the restart signaled the final whistle and scenes of celebration for the Campbell players and coaching team.
TEAMS
The Royal School Armagh
(1-8): Jack Chapman, Jack Treanor (Captain), Archie McAlpine, Jonny Agnew, Samuel King, Aaron Woods, Graham Crawford, Ryan O’Neill;
(9-15): Charlie Worth, Romain Morrow, Nicholas Jennings, Matthew Reaney, Zac Thompson, Oliver Webb, Michael Campbell.
Replacements: Sam Rainey, Adam Edgar, Jude Roberts, Ryan Finlay, Josh King, Ben Lavery, Callum Whiteside, Peter Taylor.
Campbell College
(1-8): John McKee (Captain), Harry Jenkins, Patrick McAlpine, Oisin Kiernan, John Harrison, Jack Stinson, Sam Robinson, Tobi Olaniyan;
(9-15): Dara Gaskin, Oscar Yandall, Rex Tinsley, Ben Power, Jamie Macartney, Will Davis, Conor Rankin
Replacements: John Gildea, Matthew Carlisle, Matthew Poor, James Johnston, Jamie Brennan, Lucas Yandall, Harry Owens, Kieran Robertson.