Cambridge House upset the odds to secure their place in the last 16

LOOKING at the seeding system, Cambridge House were not expected to reach the last 16 in the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup but that’s exactly what they did to earn a home draw against Royal School Armagh.

Regent started very strongly with their Irish Schools out-half Robbie Johnston directing the play and helping his team to an eight point advantage.

Stuart Martin crossed for a try and Johnston kicked a penalty before the home team began to challenge. Their out-half Dean Millar made a couple of breaks but the passes went to ground.

Eventually, they did reduce the arrears before the interval when, following a lot of pressure and a kick into the corner, they won turnover ball and centre Sam Millar, a brother of the out- half, touched down and added the points.

The Ballymena side’s next try was against the run of play. They won a scrum on their ‘22’ and full-back Cane McIlroy made 30 metres.

Scrum-half Tom Wharry then triple side-stepped through the opposition to go in for the score of the afternoon which Millar converted.

Following an attack involving several phases, the home side was further rewarded with a Millar penalty to make it 17-8.

In the final couple of minutes, an infringement allowed Regent to kick to the corner and centre Martin ran in close to touch.

Delighted home coach John Nicholl said: “Regent were at least a stone heavier a man so we did exceptionally well considering there were only two Upper Sixth pupils on our team.

“We had a bad start and had a purple patch, but the tie could have gone either way.”