Ulster Rugby vs Treviso

METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST 37-21 BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY

On Tuesday afternoon, also at Kingspan Stadium, Methody got their semi-final off to a dream start when centre James McConnell burst through before releasing his midfield partner Paul Kerr who fended off the last defender to slide over inside the left corner flag after just 3 minutes. BRA responded on 11 minutes through a penalty from captain Conor McAuley. On 15 minutes Kerr got his and his team’s second try of the game when he was on hand to finish off a break by full back Connor Scollan. Kerr added the conversion himself plus a penalty four minutes later to make it 15-3. BRA began to enjoy several phases of possession inside the opposition 22 and opted for quick taps on two occasions as they sought out their first try, but were forced into touch. On 26 minutes Methody were penalised under the pressure of the BRA attack and McAuley knocked over the resulting goal kick. Two minutes later Methody celebrated another try as a well worked play off a 22m scrum released McConnell to score under the posts. Kerr added the elementary conversion to extend the lead to 22-6. On the half-hour mark McAuley gratefully accepted another simple penalty as the Methody defence was penalised at the breakdown inside their own 22, having initially forced the turnover, leaving the score 22-9 at the interval. Methody got the first try of the second half through Johnny Jordan following great work by number 8 Thomas Gallagher who broke off the narrow side of a ruck before off-loading to the scrum-half. BRA did touch down for their first try on 49 minutes when several phases of heavy carries were eventually rewarded when lock Bradley Luney barged over to reduce the deficit to 27-14. On 62 minutes Gallagher pounced to touch down another Methody try, making the most of a mix-up in the BRA defence as they tried to exit from a lineout ball close to their own try line.

Kerr completed his hat-trick on 68 minutes with a fantastic line through the middle before beating the defensive cover to touch down in the left corner. While the result was beyond doubt, BRA flanker Matthew Dalton capped off a fine individual performance with a consolation try as the clock edged towards 70 minutes . METHODIST COLLEGE TEAM & SCORERS 15-9 Connor Scollan, Kane Doherty, James McConnell, Paul Kerr, Chris Larmour, Thomas Armstrong, Johnny Jordan; 1-8 Alex Cairns, John Trainor, Ben Crangle, Hugh Gibbons, Jonah Bingham, Cameron Kelly, Matty Loane (Capt), Thomas Gallagher. REPLACEMENTS 16-23 Calum Conn, Daire Morelli, Connor Fletcher, Kevin McNaboe, Conor Kelly, Matthew Neill, Ethan McIlroy. TRIES Paul Kerr (3), James McConnell, Johnny Jordan, Thomas Gallagher CONS Paul Kerr (2) PENS Paul Kerr BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY TEAM & SCORERS 15-9 Brandon Hassan, Abdullah Sabri, Lewis Davidson, Samuel Osborne, Adam Kane, Jack Burton, Conor McAuley (Capt); 1-8 Kurtis Scott, Tom Stewart, Nikki Ryan, Cormac McCracken, Bradley Luney, Matthew Dalton, Matthew Borne, Tom Gilpin. REPLACEMENTS 16-23 James Lavery, Owen Minford, Douglas Adams, Adam Keed, Aaron Lyons, Jason Stubbs, Daniel Logan. TRIES Bradley Luney, Matthew Dalton CONS Conor McAuley PENS: Conor McAuley (3)

The 2017 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final between RBAI and Methody will take place on St Patrick’s Day, Friday 17th March, at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 3.00pm). Tickets are available to purchase online now at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS' CUP SEMI-FINAL

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