Methodist College Belfast have won the 2019 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield title, thanks to a hard fought 17-12 win over Ballymena Academy at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
It was Ballymena Academy, who were seeking to retain the title they won last year, who got off to a flying start, scoring a try just two minutes into the game. Playing with the aid of Storm Gareth at their backs, they chased their own kick-off, regained possession then the forwards went through a number of phases before second row Andrew Chesney powered over from close range.
Methody then grew into the game and responded with a try of their own on 12 minutes. After a series of pick and drives, hooker Johnny O’Kane eventually punched through to score. Ryan Lindsay added the conversion to give his side a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
Methody continued to build pressure in the opening period of the second half and added another try 5 minutes after the restart. Fullback Joe Dickson was on hand to finish in the right corner after an initial break by Lindsay and a neat offload by centre Lorcan Hanratty. Linday then fired over a superb touchline conversion.
On 48 minutes Lindsay pushed out Methody’s lead to 17-5 with a penalty, meaning Ballymena required at least two more scores.
Methody continued to build pressure in the opening period of the second half and added another try 5 minutes after the restart. Fullback Joe Dickson was on hand to finish in the right corner after an initial break by Lindsay and a neat offload by centre Lorcan Hanratty. Linday then fired over a superb touchline conversion.
On 48 minutes Lindsay pushed out Methody’s lead to 17-5 with a penalty, meaning Ballymena required at least two more scores.
Ballymena did continue to fight until the end and their efforts were rewarded with an excellent try from flanker Robbie Wilson, who drove over beside the posts. Jordan Millar quickly added the conversion, but, following a knock-on from the restart, the referee blew for the full-time whistle. The win marks a first Medallion Shield title since 2012 for Methody, and their 37th outright success. Ballymena Academy: (15-9): Jordan Millar, Lewis Wharry, Alex McBurney, Andrew Donald (Capt), Theo Thompson, Connor Drain, Ben King; (1-8): Connor louw, James Cameron, Harry Marcus, Sam McDonald, Andrew Chesney, Christian Drennan, Robbie Wilson, Adam Thompson. Replacements: Joel Ballantine, Callum Gatt, David Surgeoner, Sam Booth, Matthew Connelly, Ben Laverty, Peter Bristow, George McAteer. Methodist College: (15-9): Joe Dickson, Fakhri Faisal, Jonathan Riddell, Lorcan Hanratty, Liam Black, Ryan Lindsay, Reuben Austin; (1-8): Ruben Murray-Twinn, Johnny O’Kane (Capt), Finn McAdam, Cristian Cummings, Patrick Fullarton-Healey, Michael Crothers, Jack McCrum, Peter O’Hagan. Replacements: Jack Lambe, Callum White, Matteo McLaughlin, Christopher Bradley, John-Joe Millar, Cameron Nannery, Jacob Kelly, Lorcan Binding.48' Ryan Lindsay extends the @mcb_rugby lead with this well struck penalty.
BA 5 MCB 17 pic.twitter.com/ssckBUc9Xr — Schools' Cup Rugby (@DBSchoolsCup) March 12, 2019