Oliver Kennedy held his nerve to help Methodist College Belfast secure the Danske Bank Under 16 Schools Cup against Campbell College Belfast on a 26-24 scoreline.
Scrum-half Kennedy delivered a tour-de-force performance in the final quarter to help his team recover from a 17-point deficit to a two-point win with his last-minute conversion securing victory which at one-point seemed unlikely.
The wind and rain from the earlier game had thankfully subsided by the time the cup final kicked-off, and the large crowd in attendance at Deramore Park, home of Belfast Harlequins RFC were treated to thrilling hour of rugby.
Campbell made all the early running, and they were rewarded for their early dominance thanks to a touchdown from Keir Gwillaim.
Isaac Webster was off target with the conversion, but he dusted himself down to convert his own try in the 20th minute.
After some clever link-up play with centre parter Gwillaim, Webster showed the Metody defence a clean pair of heels to give the South Belfast School a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The Methody forwards eventually gained some much-needed possession, and following some hard carries from Caqeua and Vericat, hooker Tòmas de la Feria O’Reilly touched down for Methody’s first score of the game.
Kennedy’s conversion cut the gap to five-points, but straight from the restart Campbell struck for their third try of the half through number 8 Jonah Meeke.
Meeke’s try handed Campbell a deserving 17-7 lead at the break, and seven minutes into the second period, it got even better for the South Belfast school when Sam Best went over for his side’s fourth try.
Caleb Shine converted to hand Campbell a 24-7 lead.
As the game ticked into the final quarter, Campbell were still in control, but out of the blue, Methody’s Kennedy made a break down the left to put centre David Millar into the corner.
Kennedy was successful with the conversion, but they still had a 10-point deficit to claw back. But just three minutes later, their arrears were cut to five.
Again, Methody attacked down the Campbell right and this time it was winger Owen Chambers who was on hand to apply the finishing touches.
Campbell were shell-shocked and all momentum was now with Methody, and with time running out, it had suddenly become a one score game.
Both teams knew that the next score would decide the game, both teams threw everything they had to seal the win, and at the death, a match winning opportunity presented itself to Methody.
After winning a penalty on halfway, Kennedy kicked a Methody penalty into the Campbell 22. From the lineout Methody attacked with purpose and their reward was prop Daniel Jefferson crashing over the line to tie the game at 24-all.
With a conversion to win the cup, Kennedy showed nerves of steel to cooly slot the ball between the posts to send the Methody faithful delirious and claim a famous victory over their cross-city rivals.
Scorers:
Methodist College:
Tries: De La Feria O’Reilly, Millar, Chambers, Jefferson.
Cons: Kennedy (3) .
Campbell College:
Tries: Gwillaim, Webster, Meeke, Best.
Cons: Webster, Shine.
Teams: Methodist College: 1. D. Jefferson, 2. T De La Feria O’Reilly, 3. T McCay, 4. R. Vericat, 5. J. Laverty, 6. L. O’Hara, 7. O. White, 8. A. Caqeua, 9. O. Kennedy, 10. E. Butterwick, 11. O. Chambers, 12. D Millar, 13. J. McConkey, 14. A. Brown, 15. J. Bell.
Replacements: 16. F McConnell, 17, H. Altaher, 18. G Fullarton-Healey, 19. R Baird, 20. R Devaney, 21. J. Baird, 22. J. Donovan, 23. E. Burgess.
Campbell College: 1. R McCorry, 2. S. Best, 3. M. Todd, 4. S. Hazel Agar, 5. R. Pollin, 6. L Northey, 7. J Stronge, 8. J. Meeke, 9. H. Bond, 10. C Shine, 11. C Irvin, 12. I Webster, 13. K Gwillaim, 14. C Cupitt, 15. C McCabe.
Replacements: 16. S Cully, 17. W Patton, 18. M Albery, 19. I Wilkinson, 20. I Calvert, 21. P Pollock, 22. Z Cameron, 23. R Johnston.
Referee: Mr Daniel Carson.