Play Highlights – We got the tries, the turnovers the DROP GOAL WINNER
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Mark Robinson Coach Comments
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Jack Cooke Captain Comments
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Exhausted / Elated Parents Comments
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Ballymena Academy hosted the current holders of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Campbell College, in a game played in ideal conditions at the Galgorm Road venue.
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The Ballymena Academy team dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges with strong play from the home pack and clever use of the ball by the backs asking questions of the Campbell College defence. However, the well organised Campbell College defence was giving nothing away and the visitors started to come into the game making good use of quality possession acquired from their pack at lineout time. Five minutes before the interval the Campbell College attack was turned over and Nicholas Sterling took play deep into the Campbell College half. The Ballymena Academy pack was on hand to produce quality ruck ball possession which allowed Darren Geddis to produce a moment of magic and touch down for a try under the Campbell College posts. Darren added the conversion to give his team a 7-0 halftime lead. The start of the second half saw the Campbell College team dominate territory and possession. They built up a series of phase plays when they didn’t force their passing game. They were rewarded for their endeavours when Harry Howard crossed the Ballymena Academy line to touch down for an unconverted try and reduce the arrears to 7-5. Campbell College continued to dominate the game until a speculative wide pass was intercepted by the Ballymena Academy team. This enabled the home side to gain ground with effective use of their close driving game and they eventually scored an unconverted try through Matthew Rea to give the Ballymena Academy team a 12-5 lead. The Campbell College team responded immediately with their forwards and backs working together to vary their play. Following the acquisition of quick ruck ball on the on the right hand side of the pitch the Campbell College backs displayed deft handling skills to send Ben Sloan in for a try on the left hand side. Rob Haldane hit a superb touchline conversion to draw the teams level at 12-12. Just as the game seemed to be heading for a replay, it was Rob Haldane that displayed a touch of magic with a drop goal three minutes from time to see his Campbell College team into the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their hard earned 15-12 victory in this intriguing game.
