Both teams contributed to a high energy encounter but it was Campbell who emerged as deserved winners thanks to tries from Jonathan Haldane, Paddy Beverland and Jack Howard.
It was Howard’s strong running that created the opening score of the game after 19 minutes. The outside centre spotted a gap in midfield and made 40 metres before being hauled to ground by two covering defenders. The ball was quickly recycled and Beverland found his captain Marcus Collum who, in turn, supplied Haldane to cross the line despite the close attentions of three Wallace defenders. Blindside flanker Matthew Crowther hit the conversion attempt but it fell short.
Wallace HS fullback Kyle Hayes had an opportunity to cut the Campbell lead to just two points but his penalty drifted wide. That left the half time score reading 5-0 to the East Belfast school.
Captain Jonny Stewart and his Wallace team mates produced some good rugby in the second half, with Ben Finlay and Adam McCallum making good inroads. They threatened to score on a number of occasions but the Campbell defence stood firm and despite the pressure it was Campbell who scored next.
Number 8 Jack Barry-Glendinning made some good ground with a strong run and that created space for Beverland who evaded two would-be tacklers to touch down under the posts. Crowther made no mistake with the simple conversion and extended his side’s lead to 12-0 with five minutes to play.
With Wallace chasing the game, Howard, who had an extremely impressive showing, broke away down the left touchline and a strong fend on the covering defender allowed him to slide over in the corner. Crowther missed his final kick but it was insignificant as the scoreline read 17-0.
A comprehensive win for Campbell College was the scoreboard was an unfair reflection of the game and credit must go to the Lisburn school.