Coleraine Academical Institution hosted an Omagh Academy team that displayed typical Omagh Academy Schools’ Cup traits when the two teams met at the Castlerock Road venue.
The Omagh Academy team started strongly and displayed little respect for the reputation of their illustrious opponents. The visitors had the opportunity to take an early lead after they had turned Coleraine AI over in front of their posts.
A penalty was awarded following the ensuing ruck but somehow the Omagh kicker managed to miss the kick.
The Omagh Academy team kept the pressure on the Coleraine AI defence but could find no way through.
Conor Shiels began to have a greater influence on the game and took play deep into Omagh Academy territory.
A Coleraine AI penalty struck the upright and the ball fell to Coleraine No 8, Nick Logan. Nick was stopped just short of the Omagh line and quick ball from the ruck found Ryan Boyd.
Ryan had a charge at the Omagh line but, once again, the defence was good.
Once again, the home team gained quick possession and moved the ball effectively.
The Coleraine full back, Bradley Dempster, hit the attack line at good pace and timed an excellent pass to his winger, Peter Acheson. Peter finished the move with an unconverted try in the corner to give his team a 5-0 lead.
The Coleraine AI team remained in the ascendancy with Mark Gordon and Nick Logan getting through a lot of work. Conor Shiels hit a drop goal, just before the interval, to see his team into an 8-0 lead at half time.
The Omagh Academy team started the second half strongly with Lloyd Kane getting through a lot of work. Adam Longwell knocked the ball on with the Coleraine AI line at his mercy. The Coleraine team then got possession from a loose Omagh Academy defensive kick. The ball was gathered by Bradley Dempster who set off on a counter attack run from inside his 22m area.
In spite of good defensive work by the visitors they could do little to stop a series of interplays, involving both Coleraine AI forwards and backs, leading to a try from the Coleraine AI prop, Danny McAllister. The conversion was missed but the Coleraine AI team now had a 13-0 lead.
The Omagh Academy team fought back strongly and eventually scored a deserved try through the hard-working James Catterson. Lloyd Kane added the extras to reduce the arrears to 13-7.
From the restart, the Coleraine AI team took advantage of slack Omagh Academy defence.
Quick possession, and good work from the Coleraine AI forwards, paved the way for Nick Logan to barge his way over the Omagh Academy line for a try.
Again, the conversion was missed but Coleraine AI now had an 18-7 lead.
Back came Omagh and they took play into the Coleraine AI 22m area with their forwards going through multiple phases of play. Eventually, the ball was released to the Omagh backs and Neil MacLaine timed his pass to Dean Henderson to perfection.
Dean ghosted his way past a despairing Coleraine AI defence to touch down under the posts.
Lloyd Kane converted the try to reduce the arrears to 18-14 with just minutes remaining.
Omagh mounted one last charge through Scott Hemphill but he was dragged into touch inside the 22m area.
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