Dromore Eagles fly into Ravenhill final

Dromore U17 captain Ryan Hughes on a run

The locals began brightly and from a scrum the ball got to Johnnie Creighton who broke through the backs being stopped short of the line.

This early success spurred Dromore on and Matty Davis took a pop ball and crashed through the tackle to score close to the posts. Adam McDonald converted.

Dromore continued to pressurise and played the better rugby however determined defence from the fitter ROB team kept them at bay. McDonald added a penalty and the first half ended 10-0.

This score with the wind was never enough and the second half had Dromore defending against a strong ball carrying side who had more numbers of players at every break down. The ROB out half jinked through and scored through the Dromore backs. This was converted and the game became very tense with both sides running hard at each other.

Dromore worked a move off the scrum across the backs with Adam McDonald finishing off in the corner in a very slick move straight off the training paddock.

The conversion was missed against the strengthening wind. ROB scored again from a penalty move but failed to convert. At 15–12 with everything to play for both teams probed and ran at each other, both teams defended strongly.

Scott Rodgers won a ball on the ground on the touchline. The ball was carried up by Matty McMaster and recycled out to Matty Davis who played his best game of the season breaking the backline defence and with ROB cover tackles hitting him drove forward from the 22 metre line to score near the opposite touchline.

McDonald converted with an excellent kick followed by the final whistle.

Dromore won 22-12. They deserved the win displaying more creative rugby but struggled to impose themselves on a spirited ROB team.

Special mention to TJ Morris who played with an injured thigh, Ross Bingham with an injured hand and Chris Tinnsley who played a full game with blisters on both heels, without complaint.

This attitude along with some hard work on the training field will pay dividends in the cup final scheduled for May 15 at Ravenhill against Ballymena U17s.