Balyclare High School v Campbell College: In Pictures: Report / Video Clips / Scores / Interviews

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Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 12th March 2011.

After one of the most exciting Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaigns for many seasons the finalists for the St Patrick’s Day show down are now known.

Campbell College will face Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup after overcoming Ballyclare High School in the second of the semi-finals played in superb conditions with a great atmosphere at Ravenhill. Campbell College dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded with a try in the fifth minute. Strong running by centres Chris Farrell and Christopher Best brought play into Ballyclare territory and No 8 Charles Gallagher bullocked his way over from a scrum after holding off two tacklers. Fullback Rory Scholes added the conversion from a difficult angle to give the Campbell College team a 7-0 lead.This spurred Ballyclare High School into action and after a sustained period of pressure their outhalf, Jonny Holmes, took advantage of some poor Campbell College defence to touch down for a try. Jonny was unable to convert his own score but the deficit had been reduced to 7-5.. Campbell responded well and their captain, John Creighton, pounced on a loose ball to score in the corner. Rory Scholes, again, added the extras to leave the score 14-5. Campbell then extended their lead when Chris Best and Chris Farrell combined once again to create space for Moss Rogers to force his way over in the corner. This time Rory Scholes was off target with his conversion attempt but his team had a 19-5 lead. After a Ballyclare High School player was shown a yellow card for an infringement in a ruck, Rory Scholes stepped up to register a simple penalty to put his team into a 22-5 lead. Just before the break, Jonny Holmes gave the Ballyclare High School team a lifeline when he replied with a penalty of his own to leave the score reading 22-8 at the half time whistle. After the restart the Campbell College team seemed to sense the game was there for the taking. Two tries in 5 minutes after the break put the game out of Ballyclare’s reach. After a succession of rucks close to the Ballyclare line, scrumhalf Glenn Baillie dived over for an unconverted try to put his team into a 27-8 lead. Two minutes later quick hands by the influential John Creighton, assisted by clever play from Chris Best and Chris Farrell allowed Rory Scholes to run in untouched to score an unconverted try and extend his side’s lead to 32-8. Charles Gallagher capped a “Man of the Match” performance when he added his second, and his team’s fifth, try when he broke blind from a scrum to crash over and put his team into a 37-8 lead. Then, with three minutes remaining, substitute Shane Moffett scored another for Campbell. Rob Haldane took over the kicking duties but was unsuccessful with both conversions. It was a delighted Campbell College team that took the plaudits on the final whistle with a performance that saw them safely through to the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup when they will face Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the St Patrick’s Day decider.

Ballyclare will learn from this experience. What a season for them – the stuff of dreams, awesome rugby throughout from them.