Semi final disappointment for Coleraine Inst

Coleraine Inst’s hopes of Schools Cup glory have been dashed by Sullivan Upper, who defeated them 27-14 in this afternoon’s (Thursday) semi final at Queen’s.

In what turned out to be a fiery encounter both sides found themselves reduced to 14 men in the closing stages as they each had a man red carded.

Sullivan scrum-half Charlie McEwan put the Holywood side ahead after charging down an attempted Coleraine clearance. Out-half Adair missed the conversion but minutes later made amends by landing a penalty kick.

Hooker Crockford touched down after Sullivan’s rolling maul put pressure on the Coleraine defence just before half time. Adair kicked the conversion to give Sullivan a 15-point advantage at the break.

Minutes into the second half second row Davidson bulldozed his way over the whitewash to score Sullivan’s third try.

Coleraine finally had something to shout about as inside-centre Shiels touched down and converted his own try to give his side a glimmer of hope but minutes later referee Stuart Gaffikin awarded Sullivan a penalty try converted by Adair.

In the closing stages outside centre Gordon spotted a gap in the Sullivan defence and sprinted towards the touchline to score a consolation try for Coleraine, which was converted by Shiels.

In the closing minutes Sullivan’s Chris Jordan and Jake Scott of Coleraine were sent-off for an off-the-ball incident as tempers flared.

Sullivan held on to book their palce in the St. Patrick’s Day decider against Methodist College at Ravenhill. Methody beat Wallace High in the first semi-final on Tuesday.