Portora Royal School outscored Grosvenor Grammar by three tries to one to secure a 20-7 win and return to Enniskillen as Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Bowl champions.
Second row Ryan Egerton, fullback Robert Baloucoune and flanker Jack Rutledge scored Portora’s tries in a dominant display at Royal School Dungannon on Wednesday afternoon.
A period of sustained pressure early in the first half was rewarded when Egerton powered over after a series of close drives by the forwards. Outside centre Connor Keys kicked the conversion to bring the score to 7-0.
Baloucoune, who has represented Ulster U19s, was dangerous all afternoon with his open field running and sliced through the Grosvenor defence to earn his side’s second try. Keys was unable to convert but the Fermanagh school brought a 12-0 lead into the interval.
Portora, playing with a strong breeze in their favour after the break, continued to dominate proceedings and Keys knocked over a penalty.
Then Rutledge crossed the whitewash midway through the second half after some fine interplay between his fellow forwards and the talented backline. Keys’ resultant kick was off target but his team now held a comfortable 20 point advantage.
There was still time for Grosvenor, who fought hard throughout, to score a try of their own. Mark Courtney’s lovely delayed pass put Daniel Martin through a sizeable gap in the defence and the captain dotted down under the posts. Scrumhalf Adam Skelton added the extras to reduce the deficit to 20-7.
The Belfast boys pushed tirelessly for another score late in the game, with left wing Ben Stevenson particularly prominent in attack, but the Portora defence was resolute.
Richard Latimer’s final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes as captain Josh Kennedy and his team celebrated a memorable win.
Second row Ryan Egerton, fullback Robert Baloucoune and flanker Jack Rutledge scored Portora’s tries in a dominant display at Royal School Dungannon on Wednesday afternoon.
A period of sustained pressure early in the first half was rewarded when Egerton powered over after a series of close drives by the forwards. Outside centre Connor Keys kicked the conversion to bring the score to 7-0.
Baloucoune, who has represented Ulster U19s, was dangerous all afternoon with his open field running and sliced through the Grosvenor defence to earn his side’s second try. Keys was unable to convert but the Fermanagh school brought a 12-0 lead into the interval.
Portora, playing with a strong breeze in their favour after the break, continued to dominate proceedings and Keys knocked over a penalty.
Then Rutledge crossed the whitewash midway through the second half after some fine interplay between his fellow forwards and the talented backline. Keys’ resultant kick was off target but his team now held a comfortable 20 point advantage.
There was still time for Grosvenor, who fought hard throughout, to score a try of their own. Mark Courtney’s lovely delayed pass put Daniel Martin through a sizeable gap in the defence and the captain dotted down under the posts. Scrumhalf Adam Skelton added the extras to reduce the deficit to 20-7.
The Belfast boys pushed tirelessly for another score late in the game, with left wing Ben Stevenson particularly prominent in attack, but the Portora defence was resolute.
Richard Latimer’s final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes as captain Josh Kennedy and his team celebrated a memorable win.