Campbell College will meet holders RBAI in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium on St. Patrick's Day
Campbell guaranteed its place in the showpiece on 17th March against RBAI with a compelling win over a defiant but ultimately underpowered Dalriada by 24-3 at headquarters on Tuesday afternoon. Tickets for the Schools' Cup Final (RBAI v Campbell College, Thursday 17th March, kick off 3pm) can be purchased by clicking here.
“It’s probably the final the spectactors wanted, so no complaints there,” said Campbell skipper James Boyle, “the two best schools teams in Ulster.
“We have work to do over the next 16 days, they’re the only 16 days we have left, to work on our fitness. And as we pride ourselves on our defence today, against a good Dalriada side, not conceding a try augurs well.
”Hopefully it will be a game we can enjoy as players and the supporters can really get into, and this semi-final occasion has been the preparation for St. Patrick’s Day we wanted.”
Dalriada and Campbell started the game with an admirable adventure, both sides willing to launch attacks from deep in their own territory But it was a Dalriada defensive error, a clearance kick charged down, which allowed flanker Jamie McCartney to run in unchallenged on the left from 15 metres for an unconverted ninth minute try and a 5-0 Campbell lead.
Dalriada’s response was instant though, a swift forward drive allowing the backs to feed centre Stewart Moore whose charge to the line was only just halted by frantic defence, but the gifted midfielder reduced the arrears in the 13th minute with a straightforward penalty from 30 metres.
Dalriada had to make an early change, scrum-half Matthew McConnaghie forced off, Jacob Butcher coming off the bench.
Two minutes later Campbell regained the initiative. A well-rehearsed forward drive allowed out-half Patrick Beverland the time and space to send right-wing Jack Howard sprinting in at the posts, scrum-half Malcolm Corry adding the conversion for a 12-3 lead.
The frantic pace didn’t relent, and both backlines were prominent in attack, with Campbell full-back Ben Webb’s pace and mazy running catching the eye, while Dalriada centre Denis Posternak was as dynamic in the tackle as he was in attack for the Ballymoney side.
But it was Campbell who extended its lead in the 32nd minute. A flowing move, with prop Tom O’Toole acting as pivot in midfield, and a clever piece of inter-passing eventually saw centre Johnny Haldane touch down on the left for an unconverted try and a rather flattering 17-3 half-time lead.
The rain arrived to welcome the second half action, and it was a determined Dalriada immediately on the front foot, an impressive pack linking well with the backline.
Campbell survived the onslaught, slowly winning its share of possession and of territory, and in 54th minute increased its lead when a splendid charge from fully 45 metres from the impressive No.8 Jack Berry-Glendinning saw him crash over at the posts, Corry’s conversion stretching the advantage to 24-3.
The force was now with Campbell, a series of sweeping three-quarter moves and some forceful forward drives draining a clearly tiring Dalriada, a string of replacements failing to replenish an emptying tank.
And despite one last exciting attacking run into Campbell’s ‘22’ a forward pass signalled the end of an entertaining semi-final won deservedly by a talented Campbell team which was given a real examination by a fine Dalriada outfit.
DALRIADA: Thomas Hunter; Ross Fallows, Stewart Moore, Denis Posternak, Gavin McCaugheran; Angus Johnston (capt), Matthew McConnaghie; Aaron Christie, Jack Dowey, Scott Gamble; Jack Horsbrough, Fergal Wiseman; Matthew Kernoghan, Matthew Lockhart, Alan Mongomery.
Replacements: Griffin Phillipson, William Allen, Mark Young, Adam Stewart, Jacob Butcher, Matthew Kennedy, Connor Creith, Lewis Henry.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE: Ben Webb; Justin Savage, Jonny Haldane, Nicolai Koplewsky, Jack Howard; Patrick Beverland, Malcolm Corry; Matthew Russell, James Boyle (capt), Tom O’Toole; James Nelson, Marcus Collim; James McCartney, Jack Barry-Glendinning, John Crowther.
Replacements: Jos Chambers, Jamie Clarke, John McKee, Matthew Robinson, Tom Brady, Rory Coon, Oscar Yandall, Ryan Meharg.
Referee: Richard Kerr
Campbell guaranteed its place in the showpiece on 17th March against RBAI with a compelling win over a defiant but ultimately underpowered Dalriada by 24-3 at headquarters on Tuesday afternoon. Tickets for the Schools' Cup Final (RBAI v Campbell College, Thursday 17th March, kick off 3pm) can be purchased by clicking here.
“It’s probably the final the spectactors wanted, so no complaints there,” said Campbell skipper James Boyle, “the two best schools teams in Ulster.
“We have work to do over the next 16 days, they’re the only 16 days we have left, to work on our fitness. And as we pride ourselves on our defence today, against a good Dalriada side, not conceding a try augurs well.
”Hopefully it will be a game we can enjoy as players and the supporters can really get into, and this semi-final occasion has been the preparation for St. Patrick’s Day we wanted.”
Dalriada and Campbell started the game with an admirable adventure, both sides willing to launch attacks from deep in their own territory But it was a Dalriada defensive error, a clearance kick charged down, which allowed flanker Jamie McCartney to run in unchallenged on the left from 15 metres for an unconverted ninth minute try and a 5-0 Campbell lead.
Dalriada’s response was instant though, a swift forward drive allowing the backs to feed centre Stewart Moore whose charge to the line was only just halted by frantic defence, but the gifted midfielder reduced the arrears in the 13th minute with a straightforward penalty from 30 metres.
Dalriada had to make an early change, scrum-half Matthew McConnaghie forced off, Jacob Butcher coming off the bench.
Two minutes later Campbell regained the initiative. A well-rehearsed forward drive allowed out-half Patrick Beverland the time and space to send right-wing Jack Howard sprinting in at the posts, scrum-half Malcolm Corry adding the conversion for a 12-3 lead.
The frantic pace didn’t relent, and both backlines were prominent in attack, with Campbell full-back Ben Webb’s pace and mazy running catching the eye, while Dalriada centre Denis Posternak was as dynamic in the tackle as he was in attack for the Ballymoney side.
But it was Campbell who extended its lead in the 32nd minute. A flowing move, with prop Tom O’Toole acting as pivot in midfield, and a clever piece of inter-passing eventually saw centre Johnny Haldane touch down on the left for an unconverted try and a rather flattering 17-3 half-time lead.
The rain arrived to welcome the second half action, and it was a determined Dalriada immediately on the front foot, an impressive pack linking well with the backline.
Campbell survived the onslaught, slowly winning its share of possession and of territory, and in 54th minute increased its lead when a splendid charge from fully 45 metres from the impressive No.8 Jack Berry-Glendinning saw him crash over at the posts, Corry’s conversion stretching the advantage to 24-3.
The force was now with Campbell, a series of sweeping three-quarter moves and some forceful forward drives draining a clearly tiring Dalriada, a string of replacements failing to replenish an emptying tank.
And despite one last exciting attacking run into Campbell’s ‘22’ a forward pass signalled the end of an entertaining semi-final won deservedly by a talented Campbell team which was given a real examination by a fine Dalriada outfit.
DALRIADA: Thomas Hunter; Ross Fallows, Stewart Moore, Denis Posternak, Gavin McCaugheran; Angus Johnston (capt), Matthew McConnaghie; Aaron Christie, Jack Dowey, Scott Gamble; Jack Horsbrough, Fergal Wiseman; Matthew Kernoghan, Matthew Lockhart, Alan Mongomery.
Replacements: Griffin Phillipson, William Allen, Mark Young, Adam Stewart, Jacob Butcher, Matthew Kennedy, Connor Creith, Lewis Henry.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE: Ben Webb; Justin Savage, Jonny Haldane, Nicolai Koplewsky, Jack Howard; Patrick Beverland, Malcolm Corry; Matthew Russell, James Boyle (capt), Tom O’Toole; James Nelson, Marcus Collim; James McCartney, Jack Barry-Glendinning, John Crowther.
Replacements: Jos Chambers, Jamie Clarke, John McKee, Matthew Robinson, Tom Brady, Rory Coon, Oscar Yandall, Ryan Meharg.
Referee: Richard Kerr