BY ANDREW MORRISON
ROYAL School Armagh were crowned champions of the Belfast Telegraph Girls Senior School Cup as they beat Portadown College 1-0 in the final.
Scarlett Taylor’s strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as she struck in the 42nd minute.
The win sees RSA crowned back-to-back champions, the first side to do so since Lurgan College in 2013 and 2014.
The first chance of the game fell Portadown College’s way with just six minutes on the clock when Emily Adamson caught RSA on the break.
The forward received the ball at the halfway line before driving into the opposition circle but her strike from the top of the circle was well saved by Vicky Cupples in goal.
Five minutes later Portadown were awarded the first penalty corner of the game, however after failing to trap the ball at the top of the circle they were unable to capitalise on the chance.
With few chances of note until the halfway mark the match proved to be an even contest with the sides going into half time scoreless.
As the action restarted for the third quarter it was Armagh who came out of the blocks quickest.
Having won their first penalty corner they quickly won a second before the Portadown first runner was off her line quickly and cleared the danger to keep it 0-0.
With 35 minutes on the clock Armagh won another corner and this time opted to slip the ball left before Joni Cunningham saw her strike well saved by Makyla Stevenson.
In the closing stages of the period, it was Royal School Armagh who finally found the games opening goal.
With 42 minutes gone the side won their fourth penalty corner of the quarter this time opted for a slip right before playing the ball back across goal.
It was there that Scarlett Taylor was left unmarked and fired her effort past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot.
With just five minutes remaining Portadown College’s Emily Adamson was played through on goal after a brilliant aerial caught the RSA defence off guard.
One vs one with Cupples, the goalkeeper held her ground before making a great save to deny the forward and maintain RSA’s slim advantage
