Despite a late fightback from Grosvenor, CAI managed to hold on for a 10 – 17 win in this hard fought match at Grosvenor Grammar.
CAI opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a try by Patrick Farrell after great work by Keith McKnight and Michael Shiels who turned over the Grosvenor scrum half allowing Farrell to sprint clear from the half way line, skipping past two defenders to score.
The Coleraine side continued to dominate possession with full back Alex Gourley and centre Dean Rankin (Capt) excelling. Despite coming close on several occasions the final pass let them down and Grosvenor were next to score.
Following some good play from the Grosvenor out half the Grammar School were rewarded with a penalty late in the first half taking the half time score to 7 – 3.
CAI responded with a Richie McMaster penalty at the start of the second half and after dominating possession and field position their hard work was rewarded on the 58th minute when, after a dominant scrum in the Grosvenor 22, flanker Kyle Markey pounced on a loose ball to score. McMaster converted giving CAI a bit of daylight with the score now 17 – 3.
Grosvenor fought back and gained a finger hold on the game with a controversial try in the corner by their right wing. The Grosvenor full back converted from wide and the game was back in the balance.
However CAI managed to hold on for the remainder of the game with Irish Schools out half, Richie McMaster and scrum half Patrick Farrell controlling proceedings for CAI to come away with a deserved victory.
Final score Grosvenor Grammar 10 -17 Coleraine Inst.
