In a match defined by momentum swings and high-level defensive sets, Campbell’s ability to capitalise on key territorial advantages in the second-half proved the difference against a resilient Methody side.
The contest began with Campbell College claiming the early territory. Following a clean gather from the kick-off by David Nelson, James Wells set the tempo, allowing Jack Best to pin Methody back. Campbell’s intent was clear from the third minute when James Wells made a significant break into the Methody 22, though a subsequent penalty allowed MCB to clear. The opening exchanges highlighted the breakdown battle, with Methody’s Luca Vericat and Harry Doherty performing vital jackal work to stifle Campbell’s early momentum.
Campbell’s first major scoring opportunity arrived in the eighth minute following a touch-finder from Jack Best that established a lineout five metres from the MCB line. A series of powerful carries followed, with Ruairi Parks, Dante Noel Simmons, and James Wells all testing the fringe defence. The ball was moved through the hands of Harry Wells to Aaron Lowey, while Rory Adair and David Nelson made further advances towards the gainline. Despite the sustained pressure, the MCB defence remained organised, eventually holding the ball up over the line.
Methody proved they were equally dangerous in transition. Sam Nixon and Isaac Bell both recorded significant carries up the wing to relieve pressure. In the 14th minute, the deadlock was broken when Callum Largey exploited a gap in the Campbell defensive line after a period of sustained pressure, and crashed over the whitewash. Louis Curran added the conversion to give Methodist College a 7-0 lead. Campbell responded by increasing the pace of their carries through Rus Lovo and Aaron Lowey, though they were initially met by a staunch defensive effort from Sam Nixon.
The equaliser arrived in the 20th minute through a moment of clinical distribution. Jack Best found Harry Wells with a well-timed pass, allowing the winger to find a crease in the defence outside the 22. Wells showed enough pace to finish under the posts, with Best adding the conversion to level the score at 7-7. The remainder of the half saw both sides trade blows near the halfway line. Methody nearly reclaimed the lead twice before the interval; first, when Harry Doherty’s powerful hand-off set up a chance for Alex Turkington that went loose, and later when Alex O’Hagan was judged to have used a double movement to reach the try line.
HT: Campbell College 7 – 7 Methodist College
Campbell started the second half with immediate intensity, camping on the Methody line within minutes of the restart. The pressure told in the 39th minute when winger Rus Lovo crossed after a series of disciplined phases. Best’s conversion pushed Campbell into a 14-7 lead. The response from MCB was almost instantaneous. Alex Turkington produced a standout individual run, evading four Campbell defenders to gain ground. Alas that ended in a knock-on, however, the resulting pressure allowed replacement Zach Neill to crash over the line in the 44th minute. Curran’s successful conversion levelled the game at 14-14.
The final twenty minutes saw Campbell’s set-piece and tactical kicking take control. After Peter Molloy made a dangerous break for Methody that was snuffed out by a turnover, Campbell worked their way back into the red zone. In the 58th minute, Raanan Potter found the decisive breakthrough to put Campbell back in front. Jack Best maintained his perfect record from the tee to make it 21-14.
Discipline became a factor in the closing stages. Best slotted a penalty in the 62nd minute to extend the lead to ten points, but a yellow card for Campbell shortly after gave Methody a man advantage. MCB utilised the extra space quickly, with Oliver Gartley crossing for a try converted by Curran to bring the score to 24-21. However, Campbell’s game management in the final five minutes was superior. They retained possession through short carries from Harry Wells and David Nelson, keeping play deep in the Methody 22 to exhaust the clock and secure their spot in the St. Patrick’s Day final.
Campbell College now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between RBAI and Ballymena Academy, which takes place this Wednesday 4 March.
Scorers
Campbell College: Tries: H. Wells, R. Lovo, R. Potter. Cons: J. Best (3). Pens: J. Best.
Methodist College: Tries: C. Largey, Z. Neill, O. Gartley. Cons: L. Curran (3).
Teams
Campbell College
15 Leo Graham, 14 Harry Wells, 13 Paul Henry, 12 Aaron Lowey, 11 Rus Alo Veikune Lovo, 10 Jack Best, 9 James Wells, 1 Caelan Doy Dolan, 2 David Nelson, 3 Conor McKinney, 4 Raanan Potter, 5 Charlie Best, 6 Rory Adair, 7 Ruairi Parks, 8 Dante Noel Simmons
Replacements
16 Dylan Armstrong, 17 Tom Alexander, 18 Harry Burrows, 19 Theo Scott, 20 Fraser Campbell, 21 Ollie Larkin, 22 Isaac Hatch, 23 Zach Thompson
Methodist College Belfast
15 Peter Molloy, 14 Sam Nixon, 13 Peter Lindsay, 12 Callum Largey, 11 Isaac Bell, 10 Louis Curran, 9 Alex Turkington, 1 Luca Vericat (C), 2 Alex O’Hagan, 3 Oliver McCay, 4 Oliver Gartley, 5 Callum Godfrey, 6 James Reid, 7 Ruairi Kennedy, 8 Harry Doherty
Replacements
16 Noah Davey, 17 Paul Stevenson, 18 Hugh Waterworth, 19 Zach Neill, 20 Charlie McCleery, 21 Zandrei Salazar. 22 Brody Magowan Gould, 23 Ramzi Qutteineh
