Cambridge claim cup final place

The moment that epitomised this match came when Carrick had a attacking line out on the House five-yard line, then the home forwards won the throw in, and drove the maul all the way to the half way line, lock Adrian Hamilton broke off and was only deprived of a score yards from the Carrick line.

This typified the Cambridge House attitude and character throughout the match.

Carrick opened well and took a three point lead after 10 minutes. The match then swayed in the Ballymena side’s favour as man of the match Matthew Harkness went over for a try converted by Maury McDowell as CH led 7-3 at the interval.

The second half continued in the same vein, Cambridge giving Carrick no time to play, unsettling their rhythm and pressing them back. The pivotal play came midway through the half when captain, Hamilton, made a break and off-loaded to his fellow lock Andrew Hood who raced in from the 22 yard line to score.

Despite having to make three enforced replacements, Cambridge continued to harass and deflate Carrick at every turn, with Kris Steele making two vital try saving tackles, and ran out deserved winners.