Campbell College produced a battling display to surprise holders Methody in Monday's Ulster Schools' Cup final at Ravenhill.

The match finished amid huge drama with Methody's Ryan Duffy desperately unlucky with a 25 metre penalty in injury-time which came back off the woodwork.

The well-struck effort seemed destined to go between the posts, but Campbell got the break to hang for the victory.

Methody went into the game as strong favourites to earn consecutive successes and stretch their record 30 titles.

It might have been the boot of Thomas Horner who gave Campbell their 22nd sucess in the competition with four sweetly-struck penalties.

But he will quickly admit that it was the fantastic all-round display by the Campbell pack that unhinged the holders.

Skipper Neil McComb superbly marshalled his forwards, who were just to strong for their Methody counterparts.

Match details:

Campbell 12 Pens: Horner 4 Methody 10 Tries: Kettyle Cons: Duffy Pens: Duffy

Time and time again, Campbell were able to turn over Methody possession while the favourites' indiscipline also saw them concede a number of silly penalties.

In contrast, Ryan Duffy missed a couple of good opportunities for Methody including his late unlucky effort.

Ironically, it was a similar late miss by Glen Telford last season, that enabled Methody to sneak past RBAI last season.

Methody, playing against the wind in the first half, started well and spent most of the opening 10 minutes deep in Campbell territory.

Duffy did score a fourth minute penalty but Methody wasted a couple of try-scoring opportunities which would have extended their advantage.

Horner levelled the contest in the 16th minute with a 30-metre penalty.

Methody were awarded a penalty in the Campbell '22 in the 19th minute but opted to kick for the corner instead of attempting a kick at goal.

The move backfired with Campbell comfortably repelling Methody's forward drive for the line.

Campbell's tackling was magnificent

Four minutes later, Campbell were ahead with Horner slotting his second penalty and another successful kick from the fly-half left the underdogs 9-3 ahead at the interval.

Methody indiscipline handed Horner another three points four minutes after half-time.

The excellent Johnny Cartmill then nearly put Campbell out of sight when he produced a magnificent break in the 46th minute.

However, his opposite number, the equally impressive Mark Kettyle, brilliantly gathered Cartmill's attempted chip ahead and averted the danger.

Then came a moment of controversy in the 52nd minute with the match referee Paul Eakin controversially ruling out an apparently good try by Methody's Stephen Minnis.

Minnis had appeared to have got downward pressure after sprinting from a line-out but the score was not awarded.

Duffy chance

However, Methody were not to be denied when three minutes later, the intense spell of pressure was rewarded by a try for the outstanding Kettyle.

Campbell responded magnificently and pushed Methdoy back for most of the final 15 minutes.

But right at the death, Methody did make a break.

Scrum-half Robbie Sloan chipped and chased from halfway but he was obstructed by his opposite number Neil Wallace.

The left Duffy with the chance to win the cup for his side but his kick rebounded to safety off the left-hand upright.

Campbell College: J Cartmill; J Moutray; R Rea, P McCausland, B Elliott; M Horner,� N� Wallace;� R Kelso, C Thallon,� A Stewart,� M Willis, J Andress, E Uzoigwe, N McComb, capt, G Moore.
Replacements: None used.

Methody: M Kettyle; O Crossey; M Scott, J McClaughlin, R Duffy; C McCadden, R Sloan; C Graham, R Walshe, R Gleadhill, M Williams, M Graham, S Minnis, D Denny, S Workman.
Replacements: P Marshall for Sloan (70).

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� Referee:� Paul Eakin (Queen's University).

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