Robin Walsh

Belfast Royal Academy have retained the Ulster Bank Schools Cup with a tense three wicket win over RBAI.

The Academy won the trophy for the first time in their history last year and their successful retention of it came with less than two overs to spare and thanks to a brilliant 78 not out by Max Burton in 94 balls.

He scored virtually half the Academy's required total of 159, having come to the middle with his side in serious difficulty at 34 for 3. None of the other batsmen managed to reach the twenties and only three claimed double figures.

Early in their innings "Inst" promised a higher challenge than their total of 158 off 38 of their 40 overs with a second wicket stand of 71 between Ben Mellor (41) and Matthew Lightbody (32).  The fact that the later order could not bat out their full quota of overs was to cost dearly.

At Moyelena, Muckamore CC - 17th June 2016
RBAI 158 (B Mellor 41, M Lightbody 32, B Cochrane 22, M Wilson 2-32, J Burton 3-37)
BRA 159-7 (M Burton 78no, L McNamara 2-34, D Robinson 2-28, D Whitten 3-27)
BRA beat RBAI by 7 wickets

Connor Boyd captain of BRA, collects the Ulster Bank Schools Cup following his side's victory over RBAI at Muckamore. The trophy was presented by Terry Robb of Ulster Bank.

Winning School BRA with the Ulster Bank Schools Cup