“I am extremely happy with the win today,” said Simpson. “The boys played well, it was a close game which we dominated a lot off, but we just could not score because Antrim were great at defending.

“Brian has his boys well drilled and we are delighted to be through and really happy not to have conceded any points.”

Looking ahead Simpson said: “We do have a good pack and set of backs, and it is matter of playing it together.

“We were missing our outhalf today, Scott Simpson, and we hope to have him back for the next round in two weeks. It would certainly be a big plus.”

The director of rugby at Antrim Grammar, Brian Baguley, said his charges had shown they were no longer the whipping boys in Ulster schools rugby.

“We still have a long way to go, “ he added: “But we held our own against Rainey, it was just 12-0 and if the bounce of a ball had been different you just do not know what would have happened.”

Baguley (right) who arrived in Northern Ireland from South Africa in 2001 as a professional cricketer with Muckamore but did rugby coaching in Cape Town, said the boys had the Schools’ Trophy to look forward to.

“If they play with the same heart then anything is possible. It is just a matter of playing whoever is in front of you.

“They were in Rainey’s faces all morning and I am so proud of them and what they have achieved.”

Antrim turned down a chance of three points with a penalty early in the second half which could have brought them to within two points. But they elected for the corner, fumbled the lineout and then lost the scrum.

However, Baguley was backing his captain and said: “It is all part of the development of the players, making difficult decisions in tight situations. They opted for the corner and while it would have been nice to register some points, it was the correct call.”