Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final Preview Thursday 17th March 2011.
The climax of one of the most exciting Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competitions will take place on Thursday 17th March when two of the most successful teams in the history of the Ulster Schools’ Cup, Campbell College and Royal Belfast Academical Institution, meet in the final at Ravenhill. This eagerly anticipated clash should attract a huge crowd of supporters, many of whom have been following the competition since the Round 1 game in December.
Both Campbell College and Royal Belfast Academical Institution have had to work hard to reach the final of the Blue Riband competition of Schools’ Rugby in Ulster.
The Campbell College team had three very challenging games against Methodist College in the quarter-finals while Royal Belfast Academical Institution had to play a replay of their quarter-final tie against Royal School, Armagh at the same stage. Both teams had comfortable semi-final victories against Ballyclare High School and Coleraine Academical Institution respectively and the scene has been set for what could be a classic St Patrick’s Day encounter.
The strength of the Belfast Inst team would appear to be in their pack where they rely heavily on the work rate and industry of Paddy Bell, the Inst captain, and Zach Welshman in the back row. These players are assisted ably by Conor Neill and Michael Mairs in the front row while Michael Kilpatrick and Ben Alexander can be relied upon to provide a good supply of quality lineout ball as well work effectively with the ball in hand. Paddy Anderson is developing a growing reputation as a dynamic No 8 and will ask questions of the Campbell College back row in the course of the game. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution back division should not be underestimated as they have a number of very talented players to call upon. Wingers, Nathan Browne and John McClure have been regular try scorers throughout the season while Kevin McLean brings a wealth of experience to his midfield role. Gareth Lawlor and Nathan Dougan have contributed much to the success of the Belfast Inst team in the course of the season and given the opportunity, would be delighted to do so again on St Patrick’s Day. If Matthew McGuigan can overcome inconsistencies in his kicking duties, on his day he is one of the best strikers of a ball in Ulster Schools’ rugby.
The Campbell College team does not appear to have suffered any significant setback to their form as a result of their marathon quarter-final encounters against Methodist College. In fact, if their performance against Ballyclare High School in the semi-final is anything to go by, they seem to have become battle hardened. On paper, the Campbell College squad could see themselves as favourites to win the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. However, they would be foolish to take anything for granted. The Campbell College front five will have to work hard to contain the Belfast Inst team at the set piece encounters. Seb McBrien and Jack Cooke bring representative experience to the front and second rows respectively. They will hope to get huge games from Kyle Adams, Ross Taylor and Geoffrey Crooks in the scrums and linesout. The Campbell College back row was instrumental in laying the foundations of the team’s success in the semi-final encounter with Ballyclare High School. Charles Gallagher and Mark Best have been particularly impressive throughout the Schools’ Cup campaign with their skill, industry and desire to succeed. The back row clash in the Schools’ Cup final could be worth the admission money alone. If the Campbell College forwards can produce the quality possession their back division craves, the Belfast Inst defence will need to be well organised and very disciplined. There is talent in abundance throughout the Campbell College back division which puts a major onus on the Campbell College scrum half, Glenn Bailie. With players such as John Creighton, Chris Farrell, Chris Best, Rob Haldane, Moss Rogers and Rory Scholes outside him, Glenn will be expected to provide a quick and effective service so that his backs can exploit the space provided by the Ravenhill pitch.
This game has all the indicators of being a classic Schools’ Cup final encounter. The players will look forward to the occasion with the nerves building as St Patrick’s Day approaches. The team that can overcome the pre-match nerves and settle quickly to the task at hand on the day should be the team that wins!! I am sure they will all enjoy the occasion.
