Wallace High claim first Ulster Schools' Cup title
Wallace High won the Ulster Schools' Cup final for the first time in their history with a 24-15 victory over Royal School Armagh at Kingspan Stadium.The Lisburn school had been beaten finalists on five occasions and had also reached the St. Patrick's Day showpiece in 2020 only to see the game cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.They got the better of an entertaining final at the home of Ulster Rugby with their pack particularly impressive. The front-row accounted for three of their side's four tries with Rio McDonagh crossing twice and James Gould also scoring in a strong performance.Armagh fly-half Evan Hughes opened the scoring with a penalty but Derek Suffern's side hit back quickly through McDonagh.The loose-head prop had won a penalty at the breakdown before barging over from close range following the subsequent kick to the corner.Armagh responded when a sharp offload from Hughes put Cameron Cummings for a score.Wallace's forwards were particularly to the fore as they took control of the game.Gould put them in the lead for good with another score from close range and the hooker was centrally involved to McDonagh's second with a huge burst through the middle.Armagh had a chance to close the 17-10 gap just before the turn but Wallace scrambled back well to force Hughes into touch.The first score of the second half always seemed likely to be key and Wallace got it 10 minutes after the restart through centre Luke Dillon with Gould providing the assist.Armagh reduced the deficit to nine points when, after Gould had fantastically managed to halt Charlie Reaney on the line, Armagh captain Thomas Dougan was on hand to score once the ball was recycled. Wallace, however, were able to hold firm over the final seven minutes to claim victory.
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