DANSKE BANK MEDALLION PLATE
Methodist College and Down High School travelled to play the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate at Wallace High School. Despite the committed and spirited efforts of the Down High School players, it was the pace, power and poise of the Methodist College team that saw the Belfast boys through the game by 60-3. The Methody team controlled all aspects of play for most of the game.
The Methodist College team started strongly and scored four first half tries through Matthew Reid, Jonathan Gourley, Josh Jordan and Ben Sterritt. In response, the Down High School team kicked a penalty through Charlie Power. None of the tries was converted so it was the Methodist College team that had built up a 20-3 lead at the interval.
The Methody team managed to raise their game to an even higher level in the second half. They ran in tries with two from Jach Jordan, two from Jamie McCann and one each from Ben Martin and Thomas Muldoon. Josh Jordan added one conversion while Cameron McAteer was successful with four conversion attempts.
After the final whistle, Barney McGonigle, Ulster Schools’ PRO, congratulated both teams on the standard of play throughout the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of the Ulster Schools’ programme, thanked the referee and his officials for their contribution to the smooth running of the game and paid tribute to Wallace High School for the provision of excellent facilities and for hosting the game.
Darryl Callaghan, Talent Identification Manager for Ulster Rugby, then presented both teams with their medals. Michael Reid, former CEO of Ulster Rugby, then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate to, Zach Jordan, captain of the victorious Methodist College team.
DANSKE BANK MEDALLION BOWL
Meanwhile, the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl took place at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort. Carrickfergus Grammar School and Grosvenor Grammar School met in an exciting game which the Grosvenor team won by 17-10.
In excellent conditions at Roughfort, Carrickfergus Grammar School and Grosvenor Grammar School fought an evenly contested Danske Bank Medallion Trophy encounter. Early pressure from Carrick brought lots of effort but nothing on the scoreboard. Grosvenor rallied and following sustained pressure on the Carrickfergus line centre, Jonah McDowell, outsprinted the Carrick defence for a try, which he could not convert, to give his Grosvenor team a 5-0 lead.
Carrickfergus Grammar School responded by talking play close to the Grosvenor line and were rewarded with a penalty which was converted by centre, Marc Ellison, bringing the score to 5-3 in Grosvenor's favour. The half time whistle was nearing when a series of forward drives resulted in burly Grosvenor tight head prop, Andrew Boyd, smashing his way over for a try, which, once again, was not converted. However, it was the Grosvenor Grammar School team that had a 10-3 lead at the interval.
The second half showed that the Carrickfergus Grammar School team was not going to lie down and they started to ask questions of Grosvenor's resolute defence. The defence held out despite being under under extreme pressure. Eventually, Grosvenor broke out of their half and, against the run of play, centre Jonah McDowell scampered over for his second try, which he was able to convert from a tight angle to put Gorvenor Grammar School into a 17-3 lead. Carrick refused to give in and, following a quick penalty, their out half, Fionn McCormack, scored a well- taken try. The conversion attempt from Marc Ellison was successful taking the score to 17-10 in Grosvenor's favour.
The final minutes were contested in the Carrick 22m area and the final whistle blew, leaving Grosvenor Grammar School narrow, but deserved, victors. The Grosvenor centre, Jonah McDowell, in scoring twelve points for his team was outstanding as was the tireless Grosvenor Grammar School flanker, Medani Elshibly.
Following the final whistle, Mr Ian H Graham, former Director of Physical Recreation and Movement Studies at Grosvenor Grammar School and current Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee, congratulated both teams on their contribution to an excellent final, thanked the referee and his officials for their input, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship and thanked the Principal and ground staff of Belfast Royal Academy for the use of their excellent facilities.
Mr Graham then presented the medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl to the captain of the victorious Grosvenor Grammar School team.
DANSKE BANK MEDALLION TROPHY
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy took place at Antrim Grammar School on Thursday 14th March when Lurgan College played Dalriada School. The game proved to be a very close encounter which Lurgan College eventually won by 8-0.
The Dalriada team dominated most of the territory and possession in the first half. Players such as Andy Stevenson and Alan Montgomery in the Dalriada pack ensured a good supply of ball which the Dalriada backs, especially the midfield trio of Angus Johnston, Denis Posternaks and Matthew Lockhart used well. However, they could not find a way through a dogged Lurgan College defence. Indeed, on the rare occasion the Lurgan College team got close to the Dalriada posts, they might have taken a first half lead but managed to miss two relatively simple penalty opportunities.
The second half saw the Lurgan College team take play deep into Dalriada territory and eventually get points on the board when Jamie Patterson converted a penalty opportunity to give his team 3-0 lead just minutes after the restart. Both teams had opportunities to score tries during the remainder of the second half but it was minutes before the final whistle that the enthusiastic crowd witnessed one. Lurgan College captain, Ryan Osbourne, took advantage of a tiring Dalriada defence to score the only try of the game. The conversion was missed but the Lurgan team had done enough to win the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion trophy Final by 8-0 against a gallant Dalriada School Medallion team.
Following the final whistle, Mr Stephen Black, Principal of Antrim Grammar School and School Principals’ representative on the Ulster Branch, congratulated both teams on their achievement of reaching the final, thanked the referee and his officials for their control of the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continuing sponsorship of Ulster Schools’ Rugby. Mr Black then presented both teams with their medals and Lurgan College captain, Ryan Osbourne, with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy.
Mr Brian Hanna, Director of Physical Recreation at Lurgan College, spoke to thank Mr Stephen Black and his staff at Antrim Grammar School for all their hard work in providing facilities and hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy Final.