Sport

Methody have the history, form and firepower

ULSTER CUP FINAL/Methodist College v Regent House: METHODIST COLLEGE go into the Ulster Schools' Cup final at Ravenhill today…

Mon Mar 17 2008 - 00:00

ULSTER CUP FINAL/Methodist College v Regent House:METHODIST COLLEGE go into the Ulster Schools' Cup final at Ravenhill today (kick-off 3pm) as heavy favourites to extend their record as the most successful side in the tournament.

Facing the Belfast school are Regent House, who are playing in only their fourth final and have only one previous cup triumph to their name, back in 1994, compared to Methody's 30 outright titles.

Methody's form on the road to the final suggests they should have too much all-round firepower for the Newtownards side. Captained by powerhouse number eight Adam Macklin, their line-up also includes Irish Schools representatives in hooker Niall Annett and centre Michael Allen.

The Belfast school made light work of despatching Sullivan Upper 36-0 in their first round before prevailing in heavyweight encounters with Campbell College (17-0 in a replay following a 0-0 draw) and hotly-fancied Ballymena Academy (23-22 in a thrilling semi-final at Ravenhill).

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Yet Regent, whose alumni include Ireland legends Nigel Carr, Philip Matthews and Blair Mayne, have also earned their place in the final, with their victories away at Coleraine Academical Institution (10-6) and at home against Royal School Armagh (13-7) demonstrating their dogged spirit before edging out Ballyclare High School 17-8 in the semi-final.

With Jonathan Patterson, son of former Ireland and Lions scrum-half Colin, pulling the strings at outhalf, the Regent pack also features another son of a former Ireland international, Craig McCoy, son of former Bangor prop Jimmy, who is currently the side's assistant coach.

The sides met earlier in the season, with Methody landing a 21-3 victory in September and the final is a rematch of the 1996 final, which controversially ended in a draw with the cup shared after Methody kicked an equalising penalty in the 11th minute of injury time.

The on-paper line-up suggests the contest should not be so tight this time around but Regent, who have won nine of their last 10 games, hope their rich vein of form can cause one more upset.