Penalties carry the day

Three penalties by Richard McKeown enabled RBAI to squeeze into the Renault Ulster Schools' Cup final.

The first half was a battle of attrition as Campbell, coached by former Ireland number eight Brian Robinson, sought to take advantage of their use of the strong wind. But the RBAI pack continually stole line-outs and closed down the play around the fringes.

Campbell had a number of chances to nip ahead but on four occasions number eight Michael McComish sprayed kicks either side of the uprights.

However, the kicking of RBAI outhalf Michael Rainey was superb as he continually pegged back Campbell's advances.

Campbell did have one glorious chance in the 30th minute when their excellent counter-attacking full back Scott Young looked to be scorching in at the right-hand corner only to be tackled into touch by the back-pedalling Andrew Maxwell.

As soon as the second half got under way, McKeown put over his first chance without fuss. But RBAI became very complacent and McComish should have levelled a couple of minutes later, only for another kickable penalty to go awry.

RBAI indiscipline allowed their opponents back into the game and excellent RBAI defence had to work over-time. In a rare visit upfield again, McKeown knocked over his second penalty before clinching it with his third as the game went into injury-time.

CAMPBELL COLLEGE: S Young; S Clements, G Mitchell, capt, A Clements, A Balmforth; G McLoughlin, M Gransleese; N Taylor, J Patton, R Thompson, P Steenson, L Irwin, S Badanjak, M McComish, A Murray. Replacements: N McComb for Clements (68); C COwan for Murray (68).

RBAI: C Gibson; C Fee, R McKeown, O Keith, A Maxwell; M Rainey, capt, P Bennett; G Kendrick, J Craig, M Stokes, C Sweeney, A Telford, R McKibbin, R Wilson, M Lyttle.

Referee: K Spence (USRFR).