Banbridge Academy 1^st XV have booked their place in the Final of the Danske Bank Schools Bowl with a hard-fought 37-21 win over Omagh Academy in a pulsating semi-final. The Academy had won their way to this semi-final thanks to a comprehensive 54-0 win over Larne Grammar and then a battling 15-14 come-from-behind victory away to Bangor Grammar.

The semi-final was always going to be a close affair and that proved to be the case. Andrew Jackson opened the scoring for the Academy with a penalty after just 3 minutes but despite further pressure from Banbridge it was Omagh who scored first with a well worked forward based try and successful conversion. This sparked the Academy into life as they responded 5 minutes later when 2^nd Row Tom King powered over and Jackson successfully converted. This was followed up 5 minutes later when Prop Jonathan McCrum drove over the line to score but Jackson was wide with this conversion attempt. Just before halftime however Omagh pressurised the Academy line and, in spite of some great defence from the Academy, they scrambled over the line for the try and again slotted the kick to take the halftime score to 15-14 in favour of Banbridge.

The 2^nd half got of to a great start when Scrum-half Harry Wan finished of a brilliant attack from the Academy but just when it seemed the Banbridge boys would pull away Omagh mounted a counter attack to score on 50 minutes and when the kick was converted they took a 20-21 lead into the final quarter. But Banbridge had saved their best for last. After a number of strong drives Hooker Connor Magee powered his way over the line to score and Jackson once again added the extras then a few minutes later Jackson slotted a long-range penalty to take the game out to 9 points. With time running out Banbridge kicked a penalty into the corner and Prop Jonathan McCrum scored his second of the day from the resulting powerful driving maul to seal the 37-21 victory. It was an impressive performance from a very attacking team and all the players deserve immense credit. Flanker Adam Logan was named man of the match and Centre Luke Charman got an honourable mention for a strong performance.

The date and venue of the final are not yet decided but the opposition will be Friends School, Lisburn as they overcame Rainey Endowed School in the other semi-final.