Cup heartache for Wallace as Methody snatch last gasp victory

That’s perhaps the best way to describe the feelings of the throngs of Wallace High School supporters as they emerged from the Dub at Upper Malone on Tuesday afternoon.

Their hopes and aspirations of seeing this Wallace side in the Schools’ Cup final were dashed by a Methodist College side who had not been allowed to show the type of form which had seen them bring an end to the challenge of their old adversary RBAI in the previous round.

For Methody, the Schools’ Cup has become almost an annual pilgrimage to Ravenhill but for Wallace, it remains an illusive trophy with four Wallace teams previously falling at the final hurdle.

Wallace started the brighter of the two sides and dominated the early exchanges. Their control enabled them to test the Methody defence but their normally efficient lineout and driving maul were not working as well as they should have been. The Lisburn side stole a lineout on seven minutes and Ryan Moore had his first opportunity to give his side the lead inside the Methody 22 but nervously sent his penalty to the left of the upright.

With 26 minutes gone, Ryan Branagh spread-eagled the Methody defence with a deft sidestep to score the opening try of the game and Ryan Moore had the simplest of tasks to slot over the conversion.

This spurred the Methody side into action and it was Branagh’s defensive qualities which were called on to prevent an almost certain score. Minutes later the Belfast side were nearly over in the corner but fullback Philip Hylands saved the day for Wallace.

As the opening half was drawing to a close, Michael Lagan, the Methody captain and prop got the champions back into the game with a try after scrumhalf Fazer Wallace took a quick penalty and released the captain to crash over. Out-half Josh Bingham converted to bring the scores level.

Four minutes into the second half, Wallace full-back Philip Hylands was to put the finishing touches to a fine move down the left touchline.

Unfortunately, Moore hit the upright from the conversion leaving the score 12-7.

Methody responded with a penalty, out-half Bingham the scorer to keep the Belfast side in touch 12-10.

Relentless pressure from Wallace almost brought a further score but the chance was lost when a pass went to ground with Wallace lining up to take advantage.

With the clock ticking down the game became more frantic, the penalty count increased and Wallace could have been in for another try but were penalised instead.

Methody launched their final attack to wrestle the game back from the brink and hooker Steven Weir scored to put Methody 15-12 ahead, Bingham adding the conversion.

It would have been easy for Wallace to buckle and admit defeat but they launched one final assault on the Methody line after a fine kick into the corner gave them one last chance.

Two scrums on the Methody line saw the referee blow up for an infringement. The hysteria of the Methody supporters had suddenly been halted. Which side were being penalised? Everyone waited. Was their any time for a final Wallace assault?

However, Wallace were penalised and Methody hurriedly sent the ball into touch and Wallace’s Schools Cup campaign was over for another year.