Methody claim Schools’ Cup glory

Methodist College Belfast have won the 2019 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup title, with a superb 17-45 win over Campbell College at Kingspan Stadium on Monday afternoon. Methody ran in seven tries, five in the second half, to extend their lead at the top of the Schools’ Cup roll of honour on 36 outright titles. Methody got off to a bright start with lock Ben Gourley powering over from close range on 11 minutes, with Ethan McIlroy adding the conversion. Campbell responded six minutes later when hooker Harry Jackson was at the bottom of the pile after a lineout maul crashed over. Conor Rankin then sent over a confidently struck conversion. Rankin then sent Campbell into the lead with a 20th minute penalty after McIlroy was penalised and subsequently yellow carded for a tip tackle. On 31 minutes Gourley’s second row partner Max Lyttle charged over for another converted try, then five minutes later fly-half Thomas Armstrong ran in a superb effort under the posts which edged Methody 10-21 in front at half-time. Five minutes after the restart scrum-half Callum Davidson dived over in the corner to extend the Methody lead. Davidson’s opposite number, Dara Gaskin sniped over from close range just three minutes later for Campbell, who were more than playing their part in a fantastic contest, to narrow the deficit to 17-26. In the final twelve minutes Methody ran in three more tries. Firstly, flanker David Boden profited from a short lineout to score in the left corner, then replacement Tim Millar got over the whitewash shortly after entering the action. The last try of the day was another outstanding finish from Armstrong, with McIlroy converting the last two. Campbell College Scorers: Tries: Harry Jackson, Dara Gaskin Cons: Conor Rankin (2) Pens: Conor Rankin Campbell College Team: (15-9): Conor Rankin, Kieran Harkness-Robertson, Rex Tinsley (Capt), Harry Owens, Danny Williamson, Ollie Ralston, Dara Gaskin; (1-8): John Gildea, Harry Jackson, Patrick McAlpine, Kyle Gill, Jack Stinson, James Johnston, Ben Rainey, Tobi Olaniyan. Replacements: Jack Boal, Luke Collins, Matthew Poor, Connor McCauley, Jamie Brennan, Harry Bell, Finlay Parks, Hugh Minford. Methodist College Scorers: Tries: Ben Gourley, Max Lyttle, Thomas Armstrong (2), Callum Davidson, David Boden, Tim Millar Cons: Ethan McIlroy (5) Methodist College Team: (15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Tom O’Doherty, Robbie Armstrong, John Fletcher, Chris Larmour, Thomas Armstrong, Callum Davidson; (1-8): Ben Crangle, Daniel Humphreys, Matthew Hunter, Max Lyttle, Ben Gourley, David Boden, Adam Reid, Kevin McNaboe (Capt). Replacements: Jack Watson, Patrick Johnston, Dan Dougan, Adam Simms, Tom Millar, Luke Simms, Luke Graham, Louis Millar.