Foyle travel to Holywood after victory

The teenagers secured their place in the third round, following a hard fought 14-8 success over Ballymena youngsters Cambridge House, last weekend, but coach Gerald McCarter is expecting a tougher task in Holywood this weekend.

"Sullivan have a good reputation this year, so it's going to be a difficult game for us, to be honest I think we'll be underdogs going into the tie," he said.

"However sometimes that underdogs tag can be good, so we'll have to wait and see. It's also good that the game has come quickly because it gives us an opportunity to get a bit of momentum going.

"But as I have already said home advantage in any game is big, I don't know why that is in sport, but it just is.

"It was good to win on Saturday, but it also showed we were a bit rusty as we haven't played in a number of weeks. It was a hard physical game and we were fortunate that we have not picked up any injuries and have a full squad to choose from."

On Saturday both teams were tentative in an error riddled opening few minutes.

When play eventually settled down it was Foyle who were first on the scoresheet when their Ulster Schools' U19's winger, David Murdock converted a penalty opportunity on 10 minutes.

Cambridge House came back strongly and took play deep into Foyle territory. On a couple of occasions they had opportunities to score but a mixture of resolute home defence and handling errors from the Cambridge House team ensured that the Foyle line remained intact.

The home side extended their lead on 25 minutes when their captain, Aaron Patterson, scrambled his way across the line for a try. David Murdock was unable to convert the try but his team now had an 8-0 lead.

Just before the half time whistle, Cambridge House got reward for their endeavours when Kristoffer Steele converted a penalty opportunity to reduce the arrears to 8-3 at half time.

This gave great heart to the Cambridge House team who started the second half with a very strong performance.

Foyle had to use scramble defence on a number of occasions to ensure their line remained intact. Adrian Hamilton was very influential for the Cambridge House team but despite his best endeavours the Ballymena boys were unable to score.

Somewhat against the run of play, the Foyle team broke out of defence and on a rare visit to the Cambridge House half, Murdock kicked his second penalty of the game following a Cambridge House infringement at the break down.

The Foyle team was relieved to have their 11-3 lead but this was short lived when Cambridge House scored a try through the hard working Matthew McBrian. Steele was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt but his team was back in the game at 11-8.

In spite the Cambridge House pressure, the Foyle team remained resolute in defence. Following a turn over ball, Foyle and Londonderry College broke out of defence to pressurise the Cambridge House line. They got a penalty awarded close to the Cambridge posts.

Murdock made no mistake with his kick and the Foyle team went into the last few minutes of the game with a 14-8 lead.

Despite the intensity of the Cambridge House attacks in the last few minutes of this game, the Foyle and Londonderry defence remained steadfast.