Ballymena Academy have won the 2018 Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Medallion Shield, thanks to a narrow win over Campbell College at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Campbell College 8 Ballymena Academy 10
Campbell College opened the game with some good early attacking pressure with Hugh Minford setting Danny Williamson into space but the wing was denied by the cover tackle.
The continued pressure resulted in a penalty for Campbell, with fly-half Ollie Ralston slotting over to put his side 3-0 in front after 5 minutes.
Despite the strong start from Campbell, Ballymena Academy began to get a foothold in the game and number 8 Harry Andrews powered over in the left corner for a try on 18 minutes, with Ross McKay adding a superb sideline conversion.
As the game approached half-time, Campbell captain Finlay Parks looked to have touched down, only for the referee to signal that he was held up over the line.
On the half-hour mark Campbell number 8 Luke Collins responded in kind with another powerful finish from close range to put the Belfast boys 8-7 ahead at the break.
Once again, Campbell started the second half brighter, and six minutes in winger Sam Gaw looked to have the line at his mercy only to be denied by an outstanding cover tackle from Jordan Millar that forced a knock on.
With the game in the balance, it looked like the next score could be crucial as Ballymena Academy wing Jonathan Cochrane came closest but could only watch as his chip through bobbled over the touch line.
With the Ballymena pressure building, Campbell conceded a penalty and fly-half McKay once again made light work of the difficult angle and fired over from the left hand side.
Ralston had an opportunity to respond with a penalty of his own from 45m out, but the distance proved just too far.
In the closing minutes Campbell pushed the Ballymena defence back and a penalty kick from hand brought them up to the ’22, however the resulting lineout was turned over by the Ballymena forwards.
The final whistle sparked scenes of joyous celebrations from the Ballymena Academy players, coaching staff and supporters, as the school celebrated only their second ever outright Medallion Shield success, and a first since 1970.
SCORERS
Campbell College:
Tries: Luke Collins
Pens: Ollie Ralston
Ballymena Academy:
Tries: Harry Andrews
Cons: Ross McKay
Pens: Ross McKay
TEAMS
Campbell College:
(15-9): Hugh Minford, Sam Gaw, Harvey Hughes, George Robinson, Danny Williamson, Ollie Ralston, Arthur Johnston;
(1-8): Jack Boal, Jonas Massey, Cameron Hillis, Conor McAuley, Archie Nield, Jack Hudson, Finlay Parks (Captain), Luke Collins.
Replacements: Patrick Elmore, Ben Jackson, Patrick Davies, Euan Lindsay, Josh Dugan, Conor Gaskin, Alex Morrow, Dillon Parks.
Ballymena Academy:
(15-9): Joshua Drain, Jonathan Cochrane, Jordan Millar, Matthew French, Richard Mallon, Ross McKay, James Wright;
(1-8): Timothy Douglas, Elliott McPherson, Joseph Mawhinney, Patrick Browne, Frankie Andrews, Andrew Lawther, Adam Lamont (Captain), Harry Andrews.
Replacements: Euan Cranston, James Craig, Oliver Thompson, Joshua Cooper, Daniel Pyper, Callum McNeill, Odhran Cosgrove, James McLean.
Campbell College 8 Ballymena Academy 10
Campbell College opened the game with some good early attacking pressure with Hugh Minford setting Danny Williamson into space but the wing was denied by the cover tackle.
The continued pressure resulted in a penalty for Campbell, with fly-half Ollie Ralston slotting over to put his side 3-0 in front after 5 minutes.
Despite the strong start from Campbell, Ballymena Academy began to get a foothold in the game and number 8 Harry Andrews powered over in the left corner for a try on 18 minutes, with Ross McKay adding a superb sideline conversion.
As the game approached half-time, Campbell captain Finlay Parks looked to have touched down, only for the referee to signal that he was held up over the line.
On the half-hour mark Campbell number 8 Luke Collins responded in kind with another powerful finish from close range to put the Belfast boys 8-7 ahead at the break.
Once again, Campbell started the second half brighter, and six minutes in winger Sam Gaw looked to have the line at his mercy only to be denied by an outstanding cover tackle from Jordan Millar that forced a knock on.
With the game in the balance, it looked like the next score could be crucial as Ballymena Academy wing Jonathan Cochrane came closest but could only watch as his chip through bobbled over the touch line.
With the Ballymena pressure building, Campbell conceded a penalty and fly-half McKay once again made light work of the difficult angle and fired over from the left hand side.
Ralston had an opportunity to respond with a penalty of his own from 45m out, but the distance proved just too far.
In the closing minutes Campbell pushed the Ballymena defence back and a penalty kick from hand brought them up to the ’22, however the resulting lineout was turned over by the Ballymena forwards.
The final whistle sparked scenes of joyous celebrations from the Ballymena Academy players, coaching staff and supporters, as the school celebrated only their second ever outright Medallion Shield success, and a first since 1970.
SCORERS
Campbell College:
Tries: Luke Collins
Pens: Ollie Ralston
Ballymena Academy:
Tries: Harry Andrews
Cons: Ross McKay
Pens: Ross McKay
TEAMS
Campbell College:
(15-9): Hugh Minford, Sam Gaw, Harvey Hughes, George Robinson, Danny Williamson, Ollie Ralston, Arthur Johnston;
(1-8): Jack Boal, Jonas Massey, Cameron Hillis, Conor McAuley, Archie Nield, Jack Hudson, Finlay Parks (Captain), Luke Collins.
Replacements: Patrick Elmore, Ben Jackson, Patrick Davies, Euan Lindsay, Josh Dugan, Conor Gaskin, Alex Morrow, Dillon Parks.
Ballymena Academy:
(15-9): Joshua Drain, Jonathan Cochrane, Jordan Millar, Matthew French, Richard Mallon, Ross McKay, James Wright;
(1-8): Timothy Douglas, Elliott McPherson, Joseph Mawhinney, Patrick Browne, Frankie Andrews, Andrew Lawther, Adam Lamont (Captain), Harry Andrews.
Replacements: Euan Cranston, James Craig, Oliver Thompson, Joshua Cooper, Daniel Pyper, Callum McNeill, Odhran Cosgrove, James McLean.