Portadown College and Cambridge House met in the final of the Ulster Schools Trophy on Saturday 4th March at Wallace High School Lisburn.
Plenty of support for both sides promised a great atmosphere and the rugby didn’t disappoint! Portadown pressed right from the start winning a number of lineouts well, but it was from open play that they were the first to register on the scoreboard with their big number 5 Max Boyce finishing off from some forward play. The out half John Speers added the extra points with a conversion to give Portadown a 7 nil lead.
Portadown increased their lead when number 8 Nathan Thornton broke out from the rolling maul to cross over near the posts. Speers then added the extra points to make the score 14 nil.
It was all Portadown in the first half and just before the half time whistle Tyler Jackson powered his way up the right wing breaking a numbers of tackles to cross in the corner making the score 19 nil at half time.
A much more competitive second half saw Cambridge House getting reward from some good rucking. Portadown then increased their lead with a great drive from Speers who crossed the line making the score 24 nil.
Cambridge got the game under control and their driving mauls helped them get their first score and conversion making the score 24 to 7. But Cambridge faltered again allowing Portadown a penalty from Speers to make the score 27 to 7. Cambridge fought back and again got their reward with a further 7 points to make the overall score 27 to 14. Towards the end of the match Bobby Newell broke on the blind side to drive over the line making the final score 32 to 14 for Portadown and the Ulster Schools Trophy.
