Pirrie Park was the venue for yesterday’s Schools U16 Cup Final between the two unbeaten sides in the Group Stages, Campbell College and Wallace High School. Fortunately, the threatened extreme weather from Storm Babet didn’t materialise and the game was played under mild, if overcast conditions.
Campbell moved quickly from kick off dominating possession and forcing Wallace to defend. A gap was found for George Thomas to score on the wing for a 5-0 lead, after 8 minutes.
Wallace responded almost immediately. A number of penalties gave them field position, before Ross Pedlow drove over from close range, beside the posts. James Curran’s conversion gave Wallace a 7-5 lead on 12 minutes.
After the score, Campbell caught Wallace on the hop. Quick ball allowed Rus Lovo space, on the right to cross and dot the ball down, under the posts. Alfie Hampton’s conversion had Campbell back in the lead 12-7 after 13 minutes.
Lovo repeated the move after 21 minutes, with Hampton’s conversion moving Campbell out to 19-7.
On the stroke of halftime James Gould burrowed his way over for Wallace, following a driving maul, close to the line. Curran’s conversion reduced the deficit, at halftime to 14-19, to Campbell.
Only 2 minutes into the 2nd half, Wallace were in possession close to the line. From the maul, Isaac Brett drove over in the corner. Curran nailed the kick in difficult conditions to put Wallace ahead 21-19.
Campbell came back. On 36 minutes Raanan Potter scored to the left of the posts. Hampton’s conversion put Campbell back in the lead 26-21.
Wallace responded with a 2nd Brett try, from a driving maul, on 32 minutes to bring the scores level 26-26.
Paul Henry’s score after 51 minutes and Hampton’s conversion had Campbell leading 33-26.
In the 58th minute Lovo’s solo effort, as he swept around Wallace defenders, before finishing with a spectacular dive, together with Hampton’s conversion, moved Campbell out to an unassailable 40-26 lead.
In the closing moments Lovo scored his 4th try, in the right corner to leave the final score 45-26.
Campbell’s 45-26 victory was impressive but in no way reflects the contribution by Wallace to a great final.
Match Gallery
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