Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) 12
Methodist College Belfast (MCB) 8
Adam McKendry reports from the Kingspan Stadium
RBAI PICKED UP their third Danske Bank Schools’ Cup title in-a-row as they defeated bitter Belfast rivals MCB 12-8 at the Kingspan Stadium in a thrilling final.
Two first half tries from Rhys O’Donnell and David McCann gave RBAI the victory, but MCB never made it easy for them as they hit back through a Chris Larmour try and a Paul Kerr penalty.
RBAI had the first chance at points when MCB prop Daire Morelli was pinged for not rolling away, but Ireland U18 centre James Hume was off target with his opening shot at goal.
It was the two time defending champions who were doing most of the pressing in the early stages, dominating territory, but they couldn’t get that opening score as MCB’s impressive back row took control at the breakdown.
Danske Bank Schools Cup Final. Source: Presseye/Brian Little/INPHO
Eventually they did break the deadlock, however, as a maul was dragged down just short of the line, but it did allow Ireland U18 scrum-half Rhys O’Donnell to snipe over from close range for the opening score in the 14th minute.
It was no less than they deserved, and eight minutes later they extended their lead even further, this time the maul going all the way over the line, Ulster U17 second row David McCann the one emerging with the ball.
Into a prevailing wind in the first half, MCB were struggling to gain a foothold in the game and were having to soak up a lot of pressure, but as the half wore on they began to find a way back and closed the gap to one score right at the end.
The forwards did the dirty work, drawing in the defenders, before the ball was flung out the backs to winger Chris Larmour for the try two minutes from the interval.
Ironically, both sides lost their kickers to yellow cards shortly after the restart for high tackles – MCB’s Paul Kerr was first to go after he hauled down Michael Lowry, before James Hume followed soon after for hitting Thomas Armstrong.
RBAI’s Rhys O’Donnell scores a try. Source: Presseye/Brian Little/INPHO
Even worse for RBAI was the loss of captain Michael Lowry, who did extremely well to prevent Larmour from crossing for his second of the afternoon, but injured himself in the process and had to be replaced.
With the wind at their backs MCB began to edge proceedings, much like RBAI in the opening half, and they reduced the gap to just four when Kerr struck over his first points of the afternoon in the shape of a 55th minute penalty.