No, it’s not a misprint, the quarterfinal replay between these Belfast rivals really did finish with exactly the same score as the one from Saturday’s game at Fox’s Field – and what a finish it was! But a lot happened before this game’s frantic and shocking conclusion.
A 3pm start, along with the occasion of half-term for many schools, meant that this contest attracted attention from the pupils of many different schools, as well as that of friends and relatives, to ensure that Pirrie Park was close to overflowing come kick-off.
Campbell College obviously came with a game-plan which involved getting at Methody as early as possible, anticipating the usual struggle that visiting teams experience at Pirrie Park, and it paid off, as they took an early lead from the boot of their no.15 following a Methody penalty.
Realising that Campbell had not just come to ‘smash and grab’ a result, Methodist College turned up their attacking efforts and were duly awarded when a clever passage of passing play led to gap in Campbell’s defence which was immediately exploited to try-scoring effect. The resultant kick was just wide of the upright but Methody now had the lead, something they rarely relinquish.
However, they very nearly did surrender it immediately after the restart as Campbell used a swift series of passes to move down the field and come close to crossing the Methody line, but the home team held on to keep their visitors at bay; in fact, Methody were required to perform that duty for quite some time in the first half as Campbell were the dominant team for a large part of it.
A slight reprieve came for the Methodites about ten minutes before the break due to a series of injuries on both sides. This broke the Campbell rhythm and allowed Methody one final push for points – an ambitious attempt at a drop goal, which unfortunately for the home team followed suit of their earlier conversion attempt, bringing about the whistle.
HT: Methodist College 5 Campbell College 3
Having seen how Campbell set out in the first half, it would be reasonable to assume that Methody would be more wary of them at the start of the second; however, they seemed to forget that lesson as the visitors played hard again and produced a clever chip-and-chase moment that very nearly led to a try.
However, the Campbellians didn’t have to wait too much longer for their first try of the day as great passing play spread from side to side resulted in a try at the far right corner. The very difficult conversion was successful and would prove to be vital in the final outcome.
Campbell continued in their attacking dominance, but too many unforced penalties meant that nothing significant came from their possession (the most entertaining moment being the referee ending up on the floor!) and the momentum began to swing back in Methody’s favour.
As Methody pushed toward the Campbell try-line, it seemed certain that it would be a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’, a feeling that was further compounded by the yellow card given to Campbell’s no.8 for repeated offences.
Methody now pushed with all they had, but even with a one-man advantage they could not break Campbell’s solid defence and the chances were starting to slip by as previously mentioned offender returned to bolster the backlines – would Campbell hold on and deal the result that Methody dare not think about?
To describe what next will never be done justice in words – with the very last act of the game, Methody moved the ball to a central position and were pushing from five metres out to score directly under the posts. As they scrambled towards the line a cheer went up from the team in blue and through a mass of bodies the referee determined that a try had indeed been scored.
The home crowd went into raptures, a few fans clearing the barriers to celebrate as they knew their team only had to place a simple conversion between the posts to win the game and progress to the semis, while many of the Campbell team collapsed in a heap of exhaustion at a ‘so close but so far’ effort’.
However, the unthinkable happened, as the Campbell defenders rushed of the line and managed to block the kick, thereby preventing the winning points and ending the game with the score-line once again reading 10-10. Campbell fans invaded the pitch as though they had won while Methody supporters simply stood in disbelief.
The two teams will now meet at a neutral venue for their second replay, both hoping that they can make that final push to secure the victory and earn themselves a tie against Ballyclare HS at Ravenhill; but whatever happens, few will ever forget the dramatic events of this game and a classic tie that now moves into its third outing.
KPICASA_GALLERY(MethodyVCampbellCupQuarterfinalReplay)
