Cambridge House make cup progress

Rab Gregg’s side’s reward is a home draw against Wellington College on January 28.

Having beaten the Lurgan team in December on their own college patch, CH were confident of a follow up win. Four of that winning side, all first team regulars were unavailable through injury, added to that the Lurgan side were up for the match and a good attendance from both home and away supporters gave a raucous atmosphere.

Lurgan started brightly but even in the early stages where they enjoyed both the majority of territory and possession it was clear they didn’t have the ingenuity to score a try and they were thankful for a generous penalty award after 15 minutes to take the lead.

CH did manage a pushover try on the half hour when they took advantage of an ill disciplined and crumbling Lurgan scrum and No.4 Thomas McIlroy made the touchdown and the score remained 5-3 at the break.

Lurgan had the lion’s share of possession once again in the second period but never threatened to score, failing to invade CH’s ‘22’ at any time.

Cambridge at last started to utilise the width of the pitch and forced a penalty which Timmy Small put over to take them 8–3 ahead midway through the half.

The Ballymena boys then spurned two creative gilt-edged opportunities to seal the match failing just short of the line on both occasions.

With five minutes remaining the game was won after a concerted period of attack CH forward Ryan Upritchard went over in the corner, and there was as much relief as joy. Small converted to complete the scoring.

The celebrations were muted at the final whistle as both the management and team were aware that the performance had failed to reach the heights they were looking for and only closed out the match late on when they would have looked to have won by a far greater margin.

The Northern Bank Man of the Match award went to CH full back Andrew Whann.