A late try for Regent saw the North Down side progress into the Third Round of the Schools Cup following a 14 – 13 win against Portora Royal.

Portora took a 0 – 3 lead, somewhat against the run of play when Reece Smyton nailed an early penalty chance and, despite the home side enjoying the bulk of possession, there were no further scores in a scrappy first half were defences dominated.

The game opened up somewhat in the second half when Portora’s Dylan Crawford switched his defensive duties for attack and crossed for an unconverted try to push Portora’s lead to eight points.

Regent’s captain Tom-Arthur Donnan sparked the fightback when he crossed at the front of a big pack effort for the home side’s first score and with Adam Curry converting it was a one point game with Regent trailing by seven points to eight.

Portora pushed the margin out to six points when Josh Kennedy crossed for the visitors second try mid way through the second half but the missed conversion came back to haunt the Fermanagh side when Regent’s Ryan McCarrol crossed in the final minutes to take the score to 12 – 13. Adam Curry held his nerve and slotted over the conversion to give Regent a 14 – 13 win.

Regent now play hosts to Sullivan Upper in the Third Round of the Schools Cup while Portora have a home game against Antrim Grammar in the Bowl.

Images courtesy of Ian Humes Photography

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