|
 |
 | | You are in: You are in: Northern Ireland |
 | | Thursday, 7 March, 2002, 16:07 GMT Methody over-run Bangor  Bangor's James Milliken tries to force his way through Methodist College 49-14 Bangor Grammar Methody cruised to their second successive Renault Ulster Cup final with a eight-try blitz against a plucky Bangor Grammar side at Ravenhill on Thursday. Fly-half Luke McCallen and winger Ryan Duffy claimed a brace apiece as Methody lined up an all-Belfast final. However, the defending champions surge into the 18 March decider against Campbell College had received an early scare, before moving well clear at the break. McCallen was first to strike in the ninth minute when he collected his own grubber kick ahead to score with centre Johnny McClaughlin converting. But Bangor bounced back within three minutes when a loose ball was pounced on by winger Colin Strain who touched down with James Milliken's conversion levelling the scores. Slowly, but surely Methody pulled away in the run-up to half-time. First centre Ryan Duffy stormed in for try number two in the 18th minute and then added a penalty seven minutes later.
Two quick unconverted tries within a minute virtually ended Bangor's hopes. First McCallen profited from good work by full-back Mark Kettyle, and then flanker Steve Minnis also touched down. It got worse for Bangor on the restart with big second row Michael Graham charging over and Duffy grabbing his second try - both of which were unconverted. Flanker David Denny stretched Methody's lead with seven minutes remaining following a flowing threequarter line movement. Duffy converted. Kettyle ended Bangor's suffering with try number eight, again converted by Duffy. But at least Bangor grabbed a consolation score right at the end with replacement Gavin McMurtry touching down and Philip Vance converting. Methodist College: M Kettyle; O Crossey; M Scott, J McClaughlin, R Duffy; L McCallen, R Sloan; C Graham, R Walshe, R Gleadhill, M Williams, capt, M Graham, S Minnis, D Denny, D Workman. Scorers: Tries: McCallen (2), Duffy (2), Minnis, Graham, Denny, Kettyle; Pens: Duffy; Cons: McClaughlin, Duffy (2). Bangor Grammar: P Vance; C Strain; P McKendry, capt, C Cooke, P Kelly; J Milliken, M Montgomery; A McDowell, R McCausland, I Browne, R Renfrew, P Corbett, D Lynn, A McAvoy, N Millar. Scorers: Tries: Strain, McMurtry; Cons: Milliken, Vance. Referee: Charles Beverland (Ulster Branch). | |
Other top Northern Ireland stories:  Links to more Northern Ireland stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Links to more Northern Ireland stories |
| ||
 | ^^ Back to top | |
| Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk | In Depth | Photo Galleries | Audio/Video | TV & Radio | BBC Pundits | Question of Sport | Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII|News Sources|Privacy | ||
E-mail this story to a friend