Super comeback seals win for Friends

They went into this game as slight underdogs and at half time being 15-3 down they had a mountain to climb. However, in the game of two halves the Lisburn side showed their potential in the second half and battled courageously to win 17-15.

From the kick off David McGuigan asserted h is authority on the game by chasing up the kick and making a ferocious tackle on Sullivan's Will Brown.

Sullivan put the first points on the board when Jamie Carr slotted over a penalty as Friends were adjudged to have hands in the ruck.

The majority of play was based around the half way line with both teams exchanging kicks and set plays with neither really dominating. However after 12 minutes, Friends' winger Dezi Eastwood attempted to run a ball out of defence. The resultant interception allowed Ryan McCandless to score under the posts with Carr adding the conversion.

From the restart, Friends' were awarded a penalty and this time Lewsley made no mistake as he reduced the arrears to 10-3. Sullivan were beginning to display more confidence than the Magheralave Road men and went into the half time break with a 15-3 lead after Michael Scott touched down for a well deserved, unconverted try.

At half time many of the home supporters were hoping a come back was on the cards and coach Stephen Robinson rallied his men. Whatever was said certainly had the desired affect as in the second half.

Their first try game when blindside winger Dezi Eastwood came into the line and linked up with Paddy Pringle who, a metre short of the line off loaded to Andrew Vance. Lewsley converted to reduce the Sullivan lead to 15-10. The Lisburn boys threw everything into attack but the Sullivan defence held strong. However, in the 66th minute a solid Friends scrum enabled the back row and backs to combine to send outside centre Michael Cochrane in for a well deserved try under the posts. As the supporters and team celebrated, Lewsley kept his cool to add the conversion and take his team into the lead for the first time during the match.

This was a lead that they were never going to surrender and as the final whistle sounded, jubilant and ecstatic supporters stormed the pitch to congratulate the Friends' team.

Coach Stephen Robinson commente: "The boys had prepared well and even though we were behind at half time I asked the team to remain focused and composed. We all agreed that if we played to our potential we could take the spoils."

Captain Alisdair Trimble added: "I am very proud of the team and everyone gave absolutely everything in the second half. We now travel to Ballymena Academy and the boys are in a confident mood and plan to reach a semi final at Ravenhill."

Ulster and Irish scrum half Issac Boss offered his services as 'water-boy' for the day and was very pleased for the whole squad as he has been assisting with coaching over the past couple of months. The Ulster rugby star commented: "It's been a long time since I have been involved in rugby at this level and I find it very enjoyable to be part of the build up for such a prestigious competition." Friends' travel to Ballymena Academy on Saturday, February 20 for 11.00am kick off.