Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final: Campbell College v Royal Belfast Academical Institution (today, Kingspan Stadium, 3pm – live on BBC iPlayer)
FOR the 15th time in the competition’s history, Campbell College will take on RBAI in the Schools’ Cup final.
Campbell currently hold the upper hand over Inst on the head-to-head with seven wins to five while they shared the title in both 1954 and 1960 following drawn finals.
It’s a first meeting at the final stage since 2016 when a late James Hume try nicked it for Inst on a 12-8 scoreline.
The following the year, with future Ulster stars Hume and Michael Lowry to the fore, Inst completed a hat-trick of wins, but they haven’t appeared in the St Patrick’s day showpiece since.
For Campbell, their last final appearance was just 12 months ago.
Holding a three-point lead midway through the second half, Campbell looked to be heading to a 25th title. But Methody struck two late penalties and Campbell were forced to return to the Belmont Road empty handed.
After seeing off Ballymena Academy (13-10) and Sullivan Upper (36-20), the semi-final draw set up a repeat of last year’s final and at the break it looked like Methody were set for yet another final as they took a 10-7 lead into the sheds. However, the East Belfast school produced a powerful second half showing and helped by scoring four unanswered tries, Campbell romped to a 31-10 victory.
“We now have a full-strength squad and competition has been very tight in selection which is essential at this stage of the competition,” said Campbell’s Head of Rugby, Johnny Cupitt.
Inst arrive on finals day in equally impressive form.
In the early knock-out stages they had little difficultly seeing off Enniskillen Royal (29-13) and Dromore High School 40-0 in the quarter-finals, but Wallace High School did ask questions in the semi-final.
Just like Campbell, Inst trailed at the break, 14-5, but they managed to turn on the style in the second half to run home convincing 31-14 winners.
Commenting on his teams run to this year’s final, Inst Director of Rugby Jamie Kirk said: "We feel there is a good balance across the team, with a strong representation at Ulster age grade level and Jacob Boyd and Bryn Ward involved with Ireland U19 this season.
"However, a number of the squad have the experience of playing in the Cup last year and I think they are therefore focused on the importance of the team first. "
After convincing wins in their semi-finals, a much closer final is anticipated but, fuelled by last year’s disappointment, Campbell may have the edge.
