Royal School Armagh came out on top in their Danske Banks School Cup Quarter Final against Wallace High by 14 – 22 on Saturday morning.

I did tip Wallace for this one but I put in the proviso that it would be close and it would depend on whichever team coped best with the pressure of the occasion. In this case it was definitely the Armagh side that handled it best with their big pack dominating proceedings from start to finish.

Royal School Armagh, roared on by a big travelling support built up a 22 – 7 first half lead thanks to tries from Romain Morrow, Matthew Reaney and Zac Thompson with, the impressive, Thompson adding two conversions and a penalty.

Thompson’s try came just before the break and it was a devastating blow for the home side who had worked their way back into the game following a score from Sam Cardosi, converted by Nathan Doak.

The High School did push hard in the second half and were rewarded by a try from replacement Ben Morrison but Armagh’s excellent work at the break down was the main difference between the two sides as the visitors frequently turned over possession deep in their own half.

Armagh’s outstanding hooker Jack Treanor featured strongly in the thick of the action and he, together with No. 8 Ryan O’Neill frequently led the charge out of defence, the game ending with Treanor kicking the ball dead after another incursion deep into Wallace territory.

GALLERY BELOW

Final score: Wallace High School 14 Royal School Armagh 22