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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 BELFAST
37-21
BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY
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/buyticketsDANSKE BANK SCHOOLS' CUP SEMI-FINAL