A disappointed and somewhat aggrieved Irish Schools' side left Stourbridge in the knowledge that they could have so easily won their third and final match for the Triple Crown having already outplayed both Scotland and Wales.
A drop goal that was questioned, an English try in which there was alleged double movement and a claimed try which was not awarded added up to a bitter package for the Irish as England took the crown for the second year in succession.
In a match in which Ireland consistently came back at the home team with their highly effective low rucking and running game, coach Keith Patton could only compliment his side and wonder about the decisions which ended up being so crucial. "There was a bad try awarded in the corner. The referee was blinded and it was a double movement of about 18 inches. That was disappointing. I don't know about the drop goal but an English committee man came over and said to me that the kick did not go over. Our replacement prop Robbie McGrath will also swear to his dying day that he scored when it was 26-22. Hit by injuries to Nigel Brady, and Gavin Ryan, Ireland began the match without two of their first-choice players at loose head and hooker.
It was an edgy game with little between the teams. Left wing Derek McCombe dominated the scoring in the first half with his place kicking, keeping Ireland in the touch with the powerful English side whose pack was almost five stone heavier.
Four penalties from four opportunities to equal England's two tries and a conversion brought Ireland to the break at 12-12. Obvious danger, wide right and left from both Michael Stephenson and Simon Danielli, who ran 70 metres through the heart of the Irish midfield, to score a wonderful try after 24 minutes, insured Ireland would subsequently keep the game tight.
Open-side flanker and English captain Alex Sanderson popped up three minutes into the second half to ghost through on the blind side following a line-out five metres out for the disputed score and England again stretched ahead. A further penalty took the margin to 20-17 before Ireland showed not just their customary character but a game plan that held and blossomed under pressure.
Outside centre Kieron Lewis finished off a half break from outhalf Andrew Dunne before the dynamic full-back Gordon D'Arcy capitalised on a flowing move during which the ball was recycled four times before he popped up to ground in the left corner.
Thus, With less than 20 minutes remaining, Ireland led but a penalty on the hour and the disputed drop goal again brought the home side in front.
Yet England were pressed back and with only minutes left, McGrath emerged with the ball from a mass of players as Ireland drove over the line, only for play critically to be brought back.
Scoring sequence: 16 mins: McCombe penalty, 0-3; 18: Stephenson try, 5-3; 22: McCombe penalty, 5-6; 24: Danielli try, Goode conversion, 12-6; 32: McCombe penalty, 12-9; 34: McCombe penalty, 12-12. 38: Sanderson try 17-12; 45: Goode penalty, 20-12; 49: Lewis try, 20-17; 53: D'Arcy try, 20-22; 60: Goode penalty, 23-22; 63: Goode drop goal, 26-22.
England: J Shaw (Old Swinford); S Danielli (Cheltenham), S Marsden (Bristol GS), C Brain (Eltham College), M Stephenson (Durham School); A Goode (Bromsgrove), R Blake (Bristol); D Flatman (Dulwich), O Julyan (Harrow), J Dawson (Dulwich), R Birkette (Dulwich), S Borthwick (Hutton GS), J Dunbar (Abingdon), A Sanderson (Kirkham, capt.), A Balding (Calodon Castle). Replacements: C Balshen (Durham) for Julyan (56 mins), M Soden (Uppingham) for Dunbar (56), H Charl- ton for Blake (62).
Ireland: G D'Arcy (Clongowes); J Norton (St Mary's), K Lewis (St Mary's), R Miliken (Bangor Grammar), D McCombe (RBAI); A Dunne (Belvedere), D Spence (Wallace High); N O'Connor (Clongowes), R Henson (St Mary's), N Treston (Blackrock), D Dillon (Clongowes), P O'Connell (Ard Scoil Ris); A Hickey (CBC Cork), A Hughes (Royal Dunganon, capt.), D O'Loughlin (Cistercian Roscrea). Replacements: N Beggs (Campbell College) for Miliken (49 mins), R McGrath (CBC Cork) for O'Connor (63).
Referee: D Hughes (WRU)
