Methodist College had luck on their side as they edged out a gallant RBAI side to record their 29th Ulster Schools' Cup victory at Ravenhill yesterday.
Defending champions RBAI had a chance to win the game in the dying minutes when outhalf Glen Telford lined up a penalty in the opposition 22, but the strong wind pulled his kick wide.
RBAI seemed determined to hold on to their title with a tigerish first-half display into the wind, which limited Methody to a solitary Johnnie McClaughlin penalty just before half-time.
With the elements in their favour RBAI began to dominate through their pack and Telford gave them the lead with two well struck penalties.
RBAI had kept Methody's livewire prop Nmandi Ozo well shackled, but he played a crucial part in the build-up to Methody's only try. The ball was fed out from Luke McCadden to McClaughlin and he linked with Ozo, who drew in three of the covering players allowing Andrew Hassard the space to race in at the corner.
It was the first time RBAI's try line had been crossed in the cup for two seasons and Methody secured their first outright cup win since 1991.
METHODIST: M Kettyle; O Crossey, B Butterwick, J McClaughlin, A Hassard; L McCadden, M Mallie; J Kilbane, R Adair, N Ozo, G Owens, M Williams, S Minnis, R Simms (capt), N Greenan.
RBAI: K Chapman; S Gardiner, K Donaghy, S Wells, G McClintock, G Telford, D Sloane, N Conlon, J Cregg, M Stokes, R Caldwell, D Brownrigg, B Price, A Hanlin (capt), M Atcheson.
Referee: G Doyle (Ballymena)
