SCHOOLS RUGBY ULSTER SENIOR CUP:Ballymena Academy 11 Methodist College 10

BALLYMENA ACADEMY needed an injury-time try to eliminate Methodist College from the Ulster Schools’ Senior Cup at Ravenhill yesterday. Ballymena will now face Belfast Royal Academy in the St Patrick’s Day final.

Methody had been the favourites to win the trophy for the fourth time in five years but they didn’t reckon on Ballymena playing at their best.

Ballymena gained the better possession and had the territorial advantage for most of the tie.

Early on Ballymena realised Methody were vulnerable to the high ball and they really exploited this, especially in the second period when the Belfast team were facing the sun.

Ballymena started strongly and, after eight minutes, were already six points in front. They had a talented outhalf in Callum Patterson, although he probably did kick too much. He had a penalty and a drop goal.

Towards half-time Methody, on their first visit to their opponents’ 22, scored a try when outhalf Paddy Jackson cut through and added the conversion.

Academy continued to have the edge after the restart and Jackson kicked a penalty. When it looked as though Methody were going to hold on to reach their 60th final a penalty allowed Ballymena to take play into the 22.

They pressurised the line and, with the last play of the tie, just like they did in last Saturday’s replay at Friends’, clinched victory when John Andrew crashed over.

METHODIST COLLEGE:Ben McIlroy; M Gribben, M Best, R Martin, J Stanfield; P Jackson, Blane McIlroy; R Harrison, G Reilly, C Carey, C Long, J Andress, J Camara, P McKee, R Winters.

BALLYMENA ACADEMY:C Simpson; J McClelland, G Delpy, P Storey, C Morrison; C Patterson, P Banda; S McNabney, J Andrew, K Galloway, G Hargy, M Rea, D Whann, T Patton, G Dennison, P Wallace.

Referee:C Stanley.