Renault Schools' Cup holders Campbell College were dumped out of the competition by Wallace High in Saturday's first round clash at Fox's Field.

With their big pack dominant throughout, the Lisburn school won 18-3 to end Campbell's hopes of a 23rd title in the competition.

Campbell, who were not fancied to go far in this season's competition, had opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a Peter Baird penalty.

But once Wallace fly-half Jonathan Curry put his side ahead at the break with a brace of penalties there was only going to be one winner.

Wallace's Daniel Dawson gets a lift at Campbell

Wallace, who were defeated by Campbell in last season's semi-finals, went further ahead soon after the restart with a pushover try by skipper Chris Henry.

The back-row again featured as Wallace continued to dominate with flanker Mark Hill charging over with Curry converting to send Wallace through.

But last year's beaten finalists Methody opened their challenge with a 14-3 win over Coleraine Inst.

Coleraine again flattered to deceive as they were completely outplayed by the Methody pack and lost in the opening round for the ssecond year in a row.

Their only score came from the opening points of the game from fly-half Peter McNay.

Methody controlled the game and had by far the greater territorial advantage.

They took the lead in the 12th minute when Owen Crossey crossed for a well-worked try created by the excellent Mark Scott.

Scott overshadowed his rival Andrew Trimble as he continually cut through the midfield was great strength and pace.

Top Schools' Cup wins

29: Methody 26: RBAI 22: Campbell Coll 9: Coleraine AI 8: Royal Armagh 6: Portora Royal 5: Bangor Grammar

Coleraine thought they had scored in the run-up to half-time through Trimble but referee Mark Orr quite rightly pulled them up for obstruction.

It was Methody who again attacked the midfield channel to wrap up the game with 12 minutes remaining.

This time is was full-back Mark Kettyle who burst through to score under the posts with Gary Wilson again converting.

In the Tyrone derby, Royal School Dungannon edged out Omagh Academy 10-6.

A try by Johnny Peyton did the damage after Jim Shields had added a penalty to his earlier conversion.

Belfast Royal Academy edged out Regent House 14-10 in a tight first round encounter in Newtownards.

Academy raced ahead with a try by Rory Drysdale and a penalty by Andy Harper.

Dungannon's scrum-half Jeff Wong makes a break

Regent came back with a try by Adam Glover before John Kyle whipped over a dropped goal for Academy and Harper put over his second penalty.

But Regent never gave up and a second try by James McCavery led to a tense finale as Academt held on for victory.

In two surprise results Friends edged out Limavady Grammar 17-10 with the Lisburn school getting a rare trip past the first round stage.

The biggest shock, though, was the eclipse of Ballyclare High who went down at Portora Royal 18-8 in a game that saw a controversial try swing things in favour of the home side.

In another tight and exciting encounter, Portadown Collegedefeated 34-25.

The other first round games went by the book as Ballymena Academy, Rainey, Sullivan Upper and Bangor all going into the hat for the second round draw which will be made on Wednesday, 29 January.

First round results

Portora RS 18-8 Ballyclare HS
Strabane Grammar 3-25 Ballymena Acad
Bangor GS 21-8 Banbridge Acad
Rainey Endowed 10-7 Grosvenor HS
Portadown Coll 34-25 Foyle&L'Derry College
MCB 14-3 Coleraine AI
Regent House 10-14 BRA
Sullivan Upper 31-3 Dalriada
Friends HS 17-10 Limavady GS
Omagh Academy 6-10 RS Dungannon
Wellington College 3-32 RS Armagh
Belfast HS 48-0 Antrim GS
Campbell College 3-18 Wallace HS
Carrick GS 0-20 Larne GS

Byes: RBAI, Down HS

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