Regent House 14 Portora 13

 

A late converted try from Regent House sent Portora crashing out of the Danske Bank Schools Cup. 
The Enniskillen side travelled to Newtownards hoping to reverse the result of an early season defeat to Regent and it looked as though the visitors were well on the way to the next round when they opened up an eight point lead, but they could not hang on and fell behind in the match for the first time moments before the final whistle.
The Portora squad had made the long journey to Regent the night before kick-off, and although the home team started on the front foot Portora kept them at bay before taking an early lead when Reece Smyton converted a penalty opportunity following a Regent error at the breakdown.
Regent were edging possession but could not break down a solid Portora defence, with captain Josh Kennedy, Dylan Crawford and Connor Keyes helping to repel their advances in a low scoring first half that saw the teams only separated by Smyton’s three points.
In the second half the Portora pack was making inroads into the Regent defence and they were rewarded with the first try of the match when they created an opportunity for Dylan Crawford to burst over the line and open up an eight point lead. 
The conversion was missed and the home side responded when the Regent pack surged forward and skipper Tom-Arthur Donnan crossed the line to touch down for a try. A fine conversion kick from Adam Curry brought Regent to within one point of the challengers with the deficit reduced to 8-7. Portora were eager to build on their lead and the Josh Kennedy managed to score an unconverted try to increase the Portora RS lead to 13-7. A successful conversion would have taken them two scores clear with time running out, but the kick was missed and it was to prove costly. 
With just minutes of the match remaining the Regent forwards bombarded the Portora Royal School defence and Ryan McCarroll broke the Portora Royal School hearts when he grounded the ball for a try, which Adam Curry converted, to secure the 14-13 victory for Regent House.
Portora will now have a home tie against Antrim Grammar in the Bowl competition.