Methody enjoyed a decent spell of territory in the opening minutes; David Armstrong bringing his forwards into the game, and backs Lorcan Hanratty and Ben McFarlane making strong carries. A knock-on outside Inst’s 22 gave possession back and Inst out of danger.
It wasn’t long however before Methody had a scrum, and Number Eight, Michael Crothers made a break. He was brought down but the team in white were given a penalty opportunity. Ben McFarlane obliged to put them 0-3 up.
RBAI were first to break the deadlock on eight minutes with an unconverted maul try; their Number Eight Bryn Ward showing great strength to power over.
Inst were almost over for another maul try though Jacob Boyd, but Methodist College were quick over the ball to get the penalty and kick clear.
MCB claimed their first try on 14 minutes, with winger Joe Dickson making a searing run down the left wing to dot down in the corner. Ben McFarlane fired over the tough conversion.
Just three minutes later, Inst chipped away at the deficit through the boot of Josh Eagleson, who landed the penalty.
The MCB side looked close to scoring in the left-hand corner again, but excellent defensive pressure from RBAI earned the penalty and Eagleson kicked for touch.
RBAI found themselves temporarily down to 14 when Rory Ellerby was sent to the bin, and MCB profited immediately through openside Josh Stevens who crashed over. Ben McFarlane nudged over the extras.
Inst responded immediately with another dominant maul; this time it was blindside flanker, Daniel Moore who rumbled over for their second try.
Methody stormed out of the blocks after the break, and Joe Dickson raced clear for his second try of the afternoon. Ben McFarlane expertly drilled over the two points to extend their lead.
The wind was in MCB’s sails, and they claimed their fourth try on 42 minutes through centre, Lorcan Hanratty, and McFarlane converted.
RBAI showed some lovely hands as they looked to fight back, but a penalty for Methody allowed McFarlane to relieve the pressure. Inst re-composed themselves and went through the hands again. Good defence from MCB drove Inst into touch just a few metres out. A dropped ball just short allowed MCB to go on the counterattack, but Inst defended well to keep them out for the time being.
Methody struck again on 58 minutes, and their backs showed lovely hands in the build-up to send Liam Black in for their sixth try of the afternoon and McFarlane slotted the extras to extend their lead.
RBAI fought hard in the final few minutes of the game but Methody kept them pinned back to see out the game and seal their place in the final.
Final score: Royal Belfast Academical Institution 15 Methodist College Belfast 43
Scorers
RBAI
Tries: Bryn Ward, Daniel Moore
Cons: Josh Eagleson
Pens: Josh Eagleson
Methodist College
Tries: Joe Dickson (2), Ryan Kidd, Josh Stevens, Lorcan Hanratty, Liam Black
Cons: Ben McFarlane (5)
Pens: Ben McFarlane
Line-ups
RBAI
(15-9) James Hilman, Ryan Stewart, Rory Ellerby, Jack Parkinson, Jamie Beattie, Josh Eagleson, Conor McGrath (Capt.);
(1-8) Andrew Armstrong, Oliver Clark, Jacob Boyd, Myles Lowe, Christopher Beaumont, Daniel Moore, Callum Simms, Bryn Ward.
Replacements: Andrew Hamill, Rory Stewart, Daniel Flynn, Jacob Edwards, Oscar Dunbar, Callum Soper, Flynn Morrow, Adam Hawthorne.
Methodist College
(15-9) Ben McFarlane, Chris Bradley, Peter O'Hagan (Capt.), Lorcan Hanratty, Joe Dickson, Ryan Lindsay, David Armstrong;
(1-8) Callum White, Johnny O'Kane, Finn McAdam, Ryan Kidd, Harry Palmer, Patrick Fullarton-Healy, Josh Stevens, Michael Crothers.
Replacements: Ben Wilson, Matteo McGlaughlin, Harry Pratt, Josh McAdam, Ben Neill, Liam Black, Jacob Kelly, Lewis Doherty.