Campbell College produced a finish for the ages to reclaim the Ulster Schools’ Cup, David Nelson’s final-play try securing a scarcely believable 26-22 victory over Royal Belfast Academical Institution at Affidea Stadium.
In a contest that swung repeatedly and never loosened its grip, Nelson burrowed over with the clock in the red before Jack Best held his nerve to convert, sealing Campbell’s first title since 2018 and denying Inst the chance to draw level with Methodist College on 39 wins.
It was a final worthy of the competition’s stature as the second oldest rugby trophy in the world. High tempo, technically sharp and emotionally charged, it delivered from the opening whistle and did not relent until the final act.
There had been a poignant note before kick-off with a minute’s applause for Campbell College stalwart John McKinney, who passed away thids year 43 years of serviceWhat followed would have done his legacy justice.
Campbell struck inside two minutes with a try that set the tone for their ambition.
Rus Alo Veikune Lovo imposed himself immediately, fielding the kick-off and surging through contact before his involvement in the aerial contest created the platform.
When another contestable kick fell kindly, the ball was moved wide and Lovo’s instinctive pass inside released James Wells, the scrum-half stepping sharply off his right foot to finish.
Inst’s response was instant and emphatic. A loose ball in midfield fell their way and they attacked with precision, shifting the point of contact quickly. Adam Millar, operating from centre, showed pace and composure to beat three defenders and level the contest within minutes.
The opening exchanges were breathless and Campbell regained the lead on seven minutes through Nelson. Their maul began to find traction and, as Inst’s defensive line narrowed, the hooker spotted space on the blindside and dived over. It was a reminder of Campbell’s capacity to mix structure with opportunism.
Harry Wells of Campbell scores against RBAI in Tuesday’s Danske Bank Schools Cup final. PICTURE: PACEMAKER
PICTURE: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Inst, though, carried a constant threat. They thought they had edged ahead when Jack Coulter crossed in the corner, only for referee Keane Davison to rule out the score for a forward pass in the build-up. It proved only a temporary reprieve.
From close range, Inst’s forwards asserted themselves. Charlie O’Connor’s initial thrust created the opening and Cian McClean finished from short distance on 17 minutes. Nine minutes later, the same player struck again, this time off a brilliantly timed flat pass from Connor Patton that cut through the defensive line and allowed McClean to run in under the posts.
That double swung momentum firmly towards Inst, whose ability to vary their point of attack and play at pace troubled Campbell.
The half did not pass without further flashpoints. A defensive stand from Campbell near their own line spilled into a full-scale confrontation, both teams drawn into a heated exchange that reflected the stakes but briefly threatened to boil over.
Players of Campbell and RBAI have a coming together during the Danske Bank Schools Cup final at the Affidea Stadium, Belfast. PICTURE: PACEMAKER
Campbell regrouped well in the closing stages of the half, earning successive penalties through breakdown work to stem the flow, but it was Inst who carried a 12-19 lead into the interval.
The second half demanded a response and Campbell delivered it immediately. From a rehearsed first-phase move, Lovo again proved decisive, drifting off his wing into midfield and slicing through a gap before releasing Harry Wells to finish in the corner. Best’s conversion from the touchline levelled the scores and reset the contest.
Campbell began to apply sustained pressure as the game wore on. Their bench made an impact, none more so than Dylan Armstrong, whose carrying and work at the lineout repeatedly disrupted Inst.
Twice he came close to turning pressure into points, first being held up over the line after gathering an overthrow, then sparking another attack that forced Inst into a goal-line drop-out.
Yet for all their territory, Campbell could not convert. Inst’s defensive work, particularly at the breakdown, was disciplined and timely. A crucial turnover penalty on 66 minutes appeared to relieve the pressure at a decisive moment.
Even then, Campbell continued to press. A forward pass halted one promising move wide, and time seemed to be slipping away as Inst managed territory through their kicking game.
But finals of this nature rarely follow a script. With the final minute ticking down, Campbell secured possession deep in Inst territory. A lineout turnover handed them one last opportunity and they refused to let it go.
Phase after phase, they hammered at the line, showing patience and composure. Eventually the resistance gave way. Nelson, so influential throughout, forced his way over from close range to complete the turnaround.
Best’s conversion was the final act, confirmation rather than climax, as Campbell’s players and supporters erupted in celebration.
For Richie McMaster’s side, it was a victory built on resilience as much as skill. They absorbed periods of pressure, found answers when momentum swung against them and finished with clarity when it mattered most.
Inst, under Jamie Kirk, will reflect on a performance of real quality that ultimately fell just short.
In the end, what separated the sides was Campbell’s ability to stay connected to the contest. Even when chasing the game, they remained composed, trusted their systems and found their moment.
It ensured that, in a final rich with quality and intensity, the last word belonged to them.
Campbell College captain Paul Henry admitted discipline wavered at times but praised his side’s composure in the closing stages as they ground out a hard-earned Schools’ Cup triumph.
“I think we maybe let our discipline slip a bit, but the big thing was staying in the fight,” he said. “We trusted the process, stuck in it and got the score we needed. I’m just so happy. What a game of rugby.”
Harry Wells of Campbell scores a try against RBAI. PICTURE: PACEMAKER
PICTURE: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Campbell’s fast start was a deliberate ploy after slow openings earlier in the campaign.
“We spoke about starting quickly because in the other cup games we’d conceded first. Getting that early score gave us real confidence, although they came straight back and it was always going to be tight.”
Henry admitted there were nerves beforehand, but once the game settled, so did Campbell.
“The legs felt heavy this morning, but once we got going it just felt like another game. We stuck to what we do.”
With a strong wind influencing territory, Campbell stayed patient. #“We felt if we kept them in their half in the second half we could grind it out, and that’s what we did.”
Lifting the trophy, after previous early exits, meant everything. “To win it as captain is a dream come true.”
Teams:
Campbell College: Caelan Doy Dolan; Harry Wells, Paul Henry (capt), Isaac Hatch, Rus Alo Veikune Lovo; Jack Best, James Wells; Dante Noel Simmons, Ruairi Parks, Harry Burrows, Charlie Best, Raanan Potter, Conor McKinney, David Nelson, Leo Graham.Replacements: Dylan Armstrong, Tom Alexander, Theo Scott, Rory Adair, Fraser Campbell, Ollie Larkin, Aaron Lowey, Zach Thompson.
RBAI: Jonah Power; Jack Coulter, Adam Millar, Connor Patton, Andrew Purcell; Charlie O’Connor, Sebastian Clark; Adam Boyd, Cian McClean, Elliott Magowan, Reuben Gibson, Connor Ballantine, Reuben McIlwrath, Ross Dillon (capt), Ronan Hamilton.Replacements: Ross Montgomery, Matthew Watkins, Reuben Edmondson, Zach Surphlis, Connor Davis, Rocco Steen, Dylan Gray, Benjamin McCarten.
Referee: Keane Davison