Regent see off Ballyclare in semi

Johnny Patterson (right) and Jeff Anderson celebrate success

Regent House will play Methodist College in the Northern Bank Schools' Cup final after beating Ballyclare High 17-8 in Thursday's second semi-final.

The score at Ravenhill was 5-5 at half-time with Robert Smith scoring Ballyclare's try and Neil Armstrong touching down for Regent.

Fly-half Smith gave Ballyclare the lead with a well-taken drop goal.

But further tries by Jeff Anderson and Paul Henderson, plus an Armstrong conversion, saw Regent into the final.

Highlights from the game at Ravenhill

Ballyclare, winners in 1972, nudged ahead in the 12th minute when Smith followed up his own kick ahead and latched on to a fortuitous bounce to run in midway out.

Regent were level in the 20th minute when a flowing threequarter line move saw Chris Woods go clear down the right before feeding an inside pass for supporting full-back Armstrong to crash over.

A brilliant break by number eight Nathan Cahoon should have provided Regent with the half-time advantage, but he saw his off-load spilled by left wing Rory Garnham with the line at his mercy.

It was Smith who gave Ballyclare the lead again six minutes on the restart with a neatly-struck drop goal from 30 metres out.

The Regent pack, who had former Ireland prop Jimmy McCoy helping on the coaching bench, began to assert their authority and they nudged ahead in the 53rd minute when lock Jeff Anderson barged his way over.

It was all over for Ballyclare in 62nd minute when another Regent forward drive allowed prop Henderson to enjoy a celebratory try-scoring dance with Armstrong adding the extras.

It will be Johnny Patterson, son of former Lions scrum-half Colin, who will be leading his side out for their big day on the 17 March against hot-favourites Methody who will be going for their 31st outright win.

Regent's last outright win was back in 1994 and shared the cup with Methody two years later.

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Ballyclare High: M Johnston; J Neill, P Irvine, capt, C Andrew, J Annett; R Smith, W Stevenson; R Henderson, M Hopper, A Best, A Neill, F Beickhorasani, M Wilson, J McKim, R Tweed.

Regent House: N Armstrong; C Woods, P Johnston, R Mayne, R Graham; J Patterson, capt, A Lockhart; P Henderson, P Hamilton, D Keys, J Anderson, S Hutchison, C McCoy, M Whiteside, N Cahoon.

Referee: M Hermin (Randalstown).