Ulster 8 Connacht 11: A superior first half performance by Connaught Schools led to a 11-0 interval advantage and, although Ulster later played the better rugby, they could only convert their dominance into eight points at Stevenson Park.

The visitors had the bigger pack and had a match-winner in winger Colm Egan. He kicked a penalty from his own half after only five minutes and shortly afterwards added a try.

Just before the interval he had another massive penalty to give Connaught a deserved interval advantage although they were helped during the game by Ulster conceeding 17 penalties to their own four.

Ulster came back with a well worked try after 11 minutes of the second period. It came from a line-out and a good run by Neil Burns on the left. The ball was re-cycled for winger David Busby to show his paces.

They reduced the arrears further when, six minutes later, Justin Rea kicked a penalty but a couple of forward passes squandered scoring opportunities. The home pack excelled in the final quarter winning the final three scrums ‘against the head' but were unable to add any further points.

Ulster Schools scorers: D Busby one try, J Rea one pen; Connaught Schools scorers C Egan one try, 2 pens