Cambridge House Grammar School came out on top 34 – 22 in this keenly contested Danske Bank Schools Cup match against Banbridge Academy on a cold Friday night at Ballymena Rugby Club.

Despite the conditions both sides tried to play rugby and generally succeeded despite a few handling mistakes.

Academy took an early through a Tom Flanagan penalty before Cambridge House cut loose on the left for centre Jack Wilson to beat the defence and score in the corner. Sam Millar knocked over the difficult conversion to give the home side a 7 – 3 lead.

Despite the early setback Academy enjoyed long periods of territory and possession and eventually got back into the lead mid way through the half when Troy Pinion battled his way to the line close to the posts. The try was converted by Flanagan to give Banbridge a 7 – 10 lead.

The visitors continued to apply pressure but a leat break by Cambridge House lead to an equalising penalty from Millar on the stroke of half time to tie the game at 10 all.

Cambridge House exploded into life at the start of the second half to turn the game decisively in their favour. Tries from Kane McIlroy, Peter Munce and Curtis Henry, all converted by Millar, saw the home side ake a 31 – 10 lead and the game looked done and dusted.

To their credit Banbridge hit back with a brace of tries from Alex Shannon, either side of a penalty from Cambridge’s Millar. Flanagan converted the first of Shannon’s scores to give a final score of Cambridge House  34 Banbridge Academy 22.

Cambridge House will now entertain Regent House in Round 3 of the Danske Bank Schools Cup. Match to be played on or before 20th January.

GALLERY BELOW