SCHOOLS' RUGBYCampbell College  12 Methodist College  10: A stirring performance by their superbly drilled pack took Campbell College to a deserved triumph in yesterday's Renault-sponsored Ulster Schools Cup final at sun-splashed Ravenhill yesterday. Ryan Duffy,though, went close to snatching victory for Methody in injury-time

Campbell were much more disciplined, better organised at set pieces and tackled relentlessly, particularly round the fringes of the scrum.

Methody, in contrast, repeatedly surrendered possession as Campbell won a litany of turnovers and disrupted their opponents in the lineout.

Methody, their sights set on what would have been their 30th cup triumph, did not explode into life until the second half.

By then, Methody trailed 12-3, Campbell outhalf Thomas Horner having added a penalty to the three he converted in the first half with Duffy landing Methody's only score up until that stage.

But a sustained bout of Methody pressure almost brought a try in the 52nd minute, only for the referee to adjudge that Steven Minnis had not exerted sufficient downward pressure on the ball following John Moutray's last-ditch tackle.

However, Methody achieved their breakthrough in the 26th minute when their outstanding full back, Mark Kettyle, crept in for a try following a clever pass from Robbie Sloan.

Duffy added the points and set the scene for a dramatic climax in which both he and Sloan proved central figures. It was deep into injury time when Sloan was impeded following a kick ahead, but Duffy's strike from the resultant penalty bounced off the post to add to the frustration of the huge Methody following.

Campbell breathed a sigh of relief - and skipper Neil McComb was only too happy to take delivery of the trophy.

CAMPBELL COLLEGE: J Cartmill; J Moutray, R Rea, P McCausland, B Elliot; T Horner, P Wallace; R Kelso, C Thalion, A Stewart, M Willis, J Andress, E Uzoigwe, G Moore, N McComb (capt)

METHODIST COLLEGE: M Kettyle; O Crossey, M Scott, J McCloughlin, R Duffy; L McCadden, R Sloan; C Graham, R Walsh, R Gleadhill, M Williams (capt), M Graham, S Minnis , D Benny, S Workman.

Referee: P Eakin (Ulster Branch).