College through after close call

The Antrim team dominated the possession and territory for large sections of the game but just could not get across the white wash.

The Antrim GS team took a 3-0 lead when Mark Strange converted a penalty opportunity after just six minutes of the game.

Nine minutes later, the Lurgan College team scored the only try of the game when their scrum half, Drew Davis, finished a back row move off the scrum to touch down for a try.

Mark McIlwaine converted the try to give his team a 7-3 lead, a lead they held until the interval.

The second half saw the Antrim Grammar School team dominate both territory and possession.

They did everything but score. The Lurgan College defended for the duration of the second half and did so heroically. Antrim produced wave after wave of attack with Christopher McGoldrick playing a real captain’s role. However, Mark McIlwaine, Harry Simpson and Jamie Patterson ensured nothing was going to get through and the Lurgan College team was delighted to hear the final whistle and record their hard-earned 7-3 victory in this tense, but exciting, Danske Bank Round 1 Ulster Schools’ Cup game.

The College will face Down High away in the next round on Saturday, January 25.