David Nelson scored a last-gasp try as Campbell College won the Schools’ Cup with a 26-22 win over Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
The hooker burrowed over the line with the final play of the match, and Jack Best converted to spark wild celebrations.
It is the first time that Campbell have won the biggest prize in schools’ rugby in Northern Ireland since 2018.
The east Belfast school made a blistering start as Rus Lovo made a break down the left wing and popped the ball inside to James Wells, who raced over the line.
RBAI his straight back when Andrew Purcell and Elliott Magowan found Adam Millar, who sprinted over the line from 40 metres out.
Nelson’s first try of the game, which came from a rolling maul, put Campbell back in front and Best converted.
Jack Coulter had a try ruled out for a forward pass, but RBAI drew level when Cian McClean powered over and Charlie O’Connor landed the difficult conversion.
McClean scored his second try just before the break when he made a great line break and raced under the posts, and O’Connor converted for a 19-12 half-time lead.
In the tale of the game, Campbell hit back five minutes after the restart when Lovo made space and he fed Harry Wells to finish in the corner.
O’Connor’s well-struck penalty put RBAI on the brink of the win, but there was late drama as Campbell made pressure count.
Nelson drove over the line after a number of phases, and Best converted to wrap up the win.
Campbell College: Leo Graham; Harry Wells; Paul Henry (capt), Isaac Hatch; Rus Lovo; Jack Best, James Wells; Caelan Doy-Dolan, David Nelson, Conor McKinney; Raanan Potter, Charlie Best; Harry Burrows, Ruairi Parks, Dante Nol-Simmons.
Replacements: Dylan Armstrong, Tom Alexander, Theo Scott, Rory Adair, Fraser Campbell, Ollie Larkin, Aaron Lowey, Zach Thompson.
RBAI: Jonah Power; Jack Coulter; Adam Millar, Connor Patton; Andrew Purcell; Charlie O’Connor, Sebastian Clark; Ronan Hamilton, Ross Dillon (capt), Reuben McIlwrath; Connor Ballantine, Reuben Gibson; Elliott Magowan, Cian McClean, Adam Boyd.
Replacements: Ross Montgomery, Matthew Watkins, Reuben Edmondson, Zach Surphlis, Connor Davis, Rocco Steen, Dylan Gray, Benjamin McCarten.
