Sullivan Upper will contest their first ever Danske Bank Schools' Cup Final after they recorded a 27-14 win over Coleraine Academical Institution in today's semi final.
The Holywood school scored two tries in each half to book their place in the 17th March showpiece at Ravenhill, where they will face a Methodist College team chasing a third consecutive triumph.
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Sullivan enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and opened their account in the tenth minute through Charlie McEwan. The lively scrumhalf pressurised a Coleriane scrum five metres out pounced on a loose ball to dot down.
His halfback partner Mark Adair missed the conversion but he made no mistake with a penalty attempt shortly after to extend the lead to 8-0.
Sullivan continued to dominate for the remainder of the half and were rewarded in the last play of the half when hooker Mark Crockford crashed over from close range following a series of drives.
Adair's conversion brought the half time score to 15-0.
Sullivan picked up where they left off after the interval with second row Josh Davidson scoring his side's third try following good work from his fellow forwards. Adair was unsuccessful in his attempt to yield another two points.
Coleriane AI started to build a number of phases and their captain Conor Shiels offered them some hope when he burrowed over and then converted, reducing the arrears to 20-7.
But Sullivan responded with another demonstration of forward power - this time resulting in a penalty try - from which Adair had no problem in adding the extras.
Coleraine outside centre Mark Gordon then produced a moment of magic to haul his team back into the contest. He collected a chip kick and dashed 60 metres untouched to slide in under the posts. Shiels' conversion brought the score to 27-14.
With ten minutes to play a scuffle broke out between the two teams which resulted in a yellow card for Davidson and red cards for Chris Jordan (Sullivan) and Jake Scott (Coleriane).
As the game opened up in the latter stages, both teams looked capable of adding further scores but handling errors and poor decision making combined to ensure the score remained 27-14 until the final whistle.
The North Down boys will now have 11 days to prepare for the biggest game of their lives. They will be looking to win the competition for the first time but will face fierce competition from Methody who have amassed 34 titles. It promises to be a cracking game.
Tickets are already on sale for the final (Monday 17th March, kick off 3pm), with a saving of 20% available now.
The ‘Early Bird’ offer allows schools rugby fans in Ulster to save at least 20% if they purchase their ticket for the final before 8th March, meaning prices start at just £4 for children and £8 for adults.
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