Ulster Senior Cup final: Wallace High School will be hoping their first appearance in the Ulster Schools' Cup final since 1994 might take them into new territory.Wallace have yet to win a final as they face into tomorrow's decider at Ravenhill, writes Johnny Watterson.
The underdogs do face RBAI in the best shape they have been in for some time with last summer's rugby tour Down Under to Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns clearly standing them in good stead.
In the semi-finals Wallace took out Belfast Royal Academy in what was a tight match with two strong defences and few scoring opportunities for either side.
Wallace outhalf Thomas Shorten got the scoring under way on that occasion with a converted try just before half-time, which he converted himself.
While the Belfast school answered 10 minutes into the second half with a try of their own, and then added a drop-goal to take an 8-7 lead, Wallace showed their mettle in seizing a last-gasp penalty opportunity, again through Shorten, just two minutes from the end for a 10-8 victory.
So confidence will be in no short supply against RBAI, who have won the cup 26 times and have shared four victories, in 1942, 1954, 1960 and 1962. They have also been beaten finalists 19 times, produced 72 Irish senior internationals, seven Lions, 30 Irish Schools internationals and they last won the Schools' Cup just three years ago.
That is enough to put the frighteners on any team and given their one-sided 22-8 win over Methodist College Belfast in their semi-final, RBAI are clear enough favourites.
Impressive last time out was kicker Johnny Watt, who helped himself to 15 of the points total against Methodist with a try, two conversions and two penalties. Tries from Gary Mitchell and Clark Atkinson added to the haul.
In RBAI's favour, that 22-point tally was their most modest of the campaign. With a bye in the first round, the side went on to destroy Sullivan Upper 50-0 and also ran in 41 points against Bangor in the quarter-final before their game against Methodist.
That looks like a team on a mission.
PATH TO THE FINAL
Wallace HS: bt Campbell College 3-18; bt Royal School Armagh 10-0 (replay) bt Rainey Endowed 26-5; bt BRA 10-8
RBAI: Bye; bt Sullivan Upper School 50-0; bt Bangor Grammar 41-6; bt Methodist College 22-8.
RBAI v Wallace HS, Ravenhill, 3.0
