Deadly Methody show no mercy to first-timers

Methodist College 27 Sullivan Upper 12

The Belfast School were contesting the final for the 62nd time while Sullivan were in the Ravenhill decider for the first time in their 137-year history.

Sullivan made the better start but couldn’t make their territorial advantage count and were punished after 10 minutes as Methody took the lead with a try from centre Connor McKee.

From a lineout the forwards drove and McKee came on a crash ball to rumble over from close range, with out-half Josh Bingham converting.

McKee got Methody’s second on 18 minutes when he picked up a loose ball just inside the Sullivan half and sprinted to the line, but Bingham couldn’t convert.

Sullivan hit back with a try from winger Chris Jordan on 23 minutes. Captain Ross Todd made a rampaging run through midfield, the ball was quickly recycled and spun wide to Jordan and he showed strength and pace to go over in the corner, but out-half Mark Adair couldn’t convert.

Methody increased their lead on 30 minutes with a try from Alastair McIvor.

Mckee broke the gain line in midfield before off-loading to Bingham. The out-half managed to break a couple of tackles before releasing McKee to go over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Sullivan finished the first half stronger. Adair saw a penalty come back of the upright and the pack was held up over the line twice enabling the Belfast side to reach the break with a 17-5 advantage.

Sullivan narrowed the gap to five points with their second try on 50 minutes. They moved a scrum in field, Adair drew the defence before putting full-back Johnny Betts clear to touch down — the out half adding the conversion.

However, Methody sealed their third consecutive title with two tries in the final six minutes from Josh Jordan and Rory Cairns.

MCB: C Kelly, R Cairns, C McKee, A McIvor, J Jordan, J Bingham, F Wallace B O’Reilly, S Weir, M Logan (capt), A Livingstone, A Thompson, S Herdman, M McKinney, C Boomer.

Replacements: J McCreanor, D Coulter for Lagan (47), A Kilpatrick, R Cullen for Boomer (45), Z Jordan, J McCollum, W Diamond, G Millar.

SULLIVAN UPPER: J Betts, C Jordan, D McMaster, M Cartmill, R Spence, M Adair, C McEwen C McEvoy, M Crockford, C Griffiiths, M Clarke, J Davidson, D Cave, A Bailie, R Todd (capt).

Replacements: H Harper for Jordan (24), J Houston, C Jeffrey, P Cooper, F Jemphrey, Z Berthenshaw, D Gilbert, M Nesbitt.