The last of the 2009/10 Northern Bank Schools' finals took place on Tuesday 14th April when Royal School, Armagh played Methodist College in the 2nd XV Schools' Cup final at Chamber's Park, Portadown
Portadown RFC had prepared the main pitch at Chamber's Park superbly well and, with a good crowd present, the scene was set for an exciting game.
It was the Armagh team that started strongly putting the Methody team on the defensive from the kick off. The Methody defence was well organised and withstood the early pressure.
However, after fifteen minutes play Methody had a clearance kick charged down in their own 22m area. The RS Armagh attack took full advantage of the situation with their lively left winger, Annesley Cuttle, scampering in at the corner for the first score of the game.
Unfortunately for Annesley he was unable to continue in the game due to an ankle injury picked up in the course of scoring the try. RS Armagh outhalf, Harry Boyd, kicked a superb touchline conversion to see his team take a deserved 7-0 lead.
The Methody team came back strongly and took play deep into Armagh territory. The Royal School defence had to be organised to withhold the Methody attacks.
Both teams looked to attack at every opportunity but both were guilty of giving away penalties at critical times. There were no more scores in the first half, leaving the halftime score at 7-0 in favour of RS Armagh.
The Methody team started the second period of play in a very determined manner. The Belfast team got rewarded for their enterprising approach to the game when their full back, Ben Mc Ilroy, took full advantage of hesitancy in the RS Armagh defence to score a well deserved try. Adam Berry missed the conversion but the Methody team had reduced the arrears to 7-5.
From the restart, the Methody team took possession back into the RS Armagh 22 m area. They got further reward for their attacking approach to the game when the Armagh team was penalised for an infringement at the breakdown. Adam Berry made no mistake with his penalty kick and put his team into an 8-7 lead after fifteen minutes of the second half.
Both teams were determined to score more points in the course of the second half but both defences held firm. The game got feisty at times but there were no further scores.
It was a delighted Methody team that celebrated their victory at the final whistle by 8-7 against a very committed RS Armagh team. The Methodist College team was well led by their captain, Peter Mc Cluggage, who was delighted to receive the Ulster Schools' 2nd xv Cup at the end of the game.
Report by Barney McGonigle
