SCHOOLS’ CUP QUARTER-FINAL
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 35
REGENT HOUSE 8
REGENT House saw their Schools’ Cup challenge brought to a halt at the quarter-final stage for the third season running, as Campbell College proved too strong for the Ards school at a damp Fox’s Field.
With their sights set on causing an upset at the home of the 24-time winners, Regent started the brighter of the two sides and were first on the scoreboard through the boot of Zach McMinn, who slotted a penalty over after 10 minutes.
Campbell would take another 10 minutes to get their opening score, which came after a lengthy stoppage for Lewis Robinson to receive treatment for an eye injury. The hosts’ Russ Lovo gathered a crossfield kick before sailing under the posts.
Campbell doubled their tally on the half-hour mark, with their left winger again the try scorer. A kick from Tom Bell did not find touch and the Campbell full-back beat the first chaser before moving it to the pacy winger who did the rest.
Regent did find themselves deep in Campbell territory before the break but were unable to get over the line. The score remained 14-3 as the referee blew for half-time.
Regent were still in the game and playing into a slight downhill, but they had to score next to remain competitive. But after Finn McClean got dragged into the ruck and a gap was left on the blindside, the Campbell scrum half took advantage and managed to offload to his supporting runner for their third try.
Another finish under the posts gave the kicker an easy conversion to move the scoreline to 21-3.
Regent had a lot to do to get back into the fight, but within five minutes, after good ball progression down the pitch from Treshon James and Noah Miskimmin amongst others, Jed Pountney was put into a bit of space and made the decisive line break for Regent’s first try. Zach McMinn was unable to add the conversion, leaving the score at 21-8.
As the hour mark approached, Regent were being forced to try riskier plays in order to make up the score deficit. Campbell were beginning to dominate the lineout as well as the kicking battle, which enabled their pack to drive over from a maul and put the game out of Regent’s reach at 28-8.
Campbell would put some gloss on their result when their centre barged over on 70 minutes. Regent had given everything and in the end the physicality of the match had got the better of them. Campbell kicker Jack Best struck another successful conversion and finished with a 100 per cent record off the tee.
This was a tough day for Regent at an intimidating venue against a slick, confident and well-drilled side. Whilst Campbell were good on the day, five tries to one did not tell the full story. Regent lived with their power and dangerous kicks for the majority of the match, giving away a couple of softer tries in the first half which made the second half task extremely difficult.
Another quarter-final defeat marks the end of the line for a number of Regent Upper Sixth students. Congratulations on seven years of Regent House rugby to captain Tom Bell, Matthew Callaghan, Oliver Dempsey, Noah Leeman, Kurtis McFerran, Noah Miskimmin, Zac Parker, Lewis Robinson and Frazer Scott.
It was a morning where a side that was not inherently better, but definitely managed the game and conditions better, won. The coaching staff are immensely proud of each squad member and their efforts, and know the team will be back again stronger and better off from this experience.
Campbell’s win sets up a semi-final with Belfast rivals Methodist College, who saw off Rainey Endowed to reach the last four. On the other side of the draw, RBAI will face Ballymena Academy, after they got past Wallace High School and Sullivan Upper respectively.
Regent House: Oliver Patton, Oliver Heasley, Harry Spence, Owen Black, Noah Miskimmin, Fintan McDonald, Treshon James, Lewis Robinson, Jed Pountney, Zach McMinn, Finn McClean, Tom Bell (captain), Matthew Callaghan, Toby McSorley, Jack Heron. Replacements: Noah Leeman, Oliver Crawford, Alfie Collins, Kurtis McFerran, Frazer Scott, Matthew Brittain, Zac Parker, Matthew Wilson, Nico Rajewicz, Oliver Dempsey.
More photos from the match on pages 56 and 57 of the Chronicle – out now.
