A report on the 1st XV's cup victory over Belfast Royal Academy.

Schools Cup (Group E)

HT: CGS 5 v BRA 0

FT: CGS 8 v BRA 7

Pictures:

Thanks to Mr David McDonald

Coleraine Grammar School hosted Belfast Royal Academy in the group stages of the Schools’ Cup on Saturday morning. With both teams getting off to winning
starts against Banbridge and Belfast High School in the first round of matches this was always going to be the pivotal match in group E.

Coleraine started the match off with great pace and intensity. Strong runs from the Coleraine back row and the evasive full back led to good go forward ball. BRA showed good patience and work-rate in defence to prevent the home side from getting over the line but constant pressure led to an early penalty opportunity for Coleraine. The Coleraine Out-Half was unfortunate to strike the post with a well struck penalty to leave the game scoreless after ten minutes of play.

Coleraine continued to keep the squeeze on and smart kicking from the Coleraine half backs gave the home side good territory. From a scrum on the right hand side the Coleraine backline moved the ball wide to their inside centre who fixed his man and put the pacey left winger away for an excellent try in the corner. Coleraine missed the difficult touchline conversion to leave the score 5-0 to the home side.

Coleraine made a number of handling mistakes and showed ill-discipline to let the opposition back into the game. BRA finished the half strongly with relentless pressure on the Coleraine try line after some good work from their pack and hard running centres. Coleraine had to dig deep and showed excellently character to hold their Belfast counterparts out and take a deserved 5-0 lead into the interval.

The second half started much the same as the first with Coleraine applying pressure but unable to break down a well organised and spirited BRA defensive line. Coleraine added to this by making unforced errors and missing four penalty attempts at goal throughout the third quarter which proved costly. Following a BRA sin binning Coleraine took the initiative and powered their way towards the BRA line after a break from the tight head prop. This surge for the line set up a clear overlap but with the line at their mercy they failed to convert after some impressive scramble defence.

This mistake seemed to have a big impact on Coleraine and helped to galvanise the away team. BRA took the game to Coleraine in the final quarter with some smart kicking and good handling from the BRA backline. Following a poor exit play from the home side, BRA capitalised and rumbled over the line for a converted try with three minutes left on the clock.

Coleraine managed to regain the restart which gave them crucial field position and territory with time against them. BRA showed poor discipline to give away a number of key penalties to allow the home side to play with advantage on their side. Following a five metre scrum Coleraine earned themselves a penalty fifteen metres from the touchline. With the last kick of the match the Coleraine out-half stepped up and superbly slotted the penalty to give Coleraine a tight but well deserved 8-7 win in front of a jubilant home crowd.

This was a typical cup game with both sides fighting and scrambling for every inch in front of a large crowd. All players involved gave their all, showed good character and can be proud of their efforts in the day. Coleraine will be disappointed not to have taken their chances earlier in the game and BRA will rue their ill-discipline which proved costly in the end. Coleraine now look forward to another home tie against Belfast High and BRA take on Banbridge Academy in the final fixtures in the group.

Head coach Richard Boyd commented on his sides victory “I am really pleased to get a win and delighted for the team who showed real grit and spirit today. I thought we were the better side for large parts of the game but we failed to turn pressure into points which is key in cup rugby. BRA were well organised and put us under pressure throughout the game especially at the breakdown. I am proud of the boys who held their nerve and especially chuffed for Harry who slotted the kick under real pressure at the end. We have plenty of areas to focus on but the boys will take confidence into the Belfast High game with an invaluable high pressured and tight victory in the bank.”