U14 Plate Final: Portadown Edge a Classic Against Banbridge
In a thrilling opening fixture, Portadown U14s narrowly defeated Banbridge 34–31 in a game that ebbed and flowed throughout.
With a strong wind at their backs, Banbridge started brightly and opened the scoring through Carter Wilson, converted by Theo Martin. However, Portadown responded with determination. Captain Karolis Gvozdas led from the front, scoring twice in the first half, while Ray Robinson and Gideon Craig were instrumental in building momentum.
Portadown surged into a 17–7 half-time lead, capitalising on smart counter-attacking and clinical finishing despite the difficult conditions.
Banbridge fought back strongly in the second half, with Charlie Moffett and Theo Martin helping to close the gap. However, Portadown maintained their composure, with further scores stretching the lead before a late Banbridge rally brought the game to a tense conclusion.
A final try from Theo Martin reduced the deficit to just three points, but Portadown held on to secure a hard-fought 34–31 victory in one of the most exciting matches of the day.
U16 Plate Final: Armagh Come from Behind to Claim Title
The second match saw Armagh produce a spirited comeback to defeat Letterkenny 24–20 in another closely contested encounter.
Letterkenny struck first with a penalty from Matthew Farrell and continued to apply pressure. Armagh responded through Ben Hawthorne, whose try and conversion gave them the lead, before Cormac Rowe extended their advantage.
However, Letterkenny rallied impressively. A powerful breakaway try from Emre Gercek, followed by two scores from Ronan McFadden, saw them take control at 20–12.
Armagh refused to back down. A converted try from Padhraic Barrett brought them back within a point before, in the closing stages, Ben Hawthorne crossed again to seal the win.
The victory marks Armagh’s second time lifting the trophy, adding to their previous success in 2012/13, while Letterkenny once again demonstrated their pedigree in the competition.
U18 Mildred Holland Plate Final: Ballynahinch Crowned Champions
The headline event of the day saw Ballynahinch take on Coleraine in the U18 Mildred Holland Plate Final, and it did not disappoint.
Ballynahinch opened the scoring through Thomas Kirkwood, before extending their lead with a penalty from Owen Hamill. Coleraine responded superbly, with tries from Jamie Pollock and Harry Smyth helping them build a 17–8 advantage.
Ballynahinch stayed within touching distance, narrowing the gap to four points at half-time thanks to Callum McCargo’s opportunistic score.
The second half proved decisive. Ballynahinch regained the lead through Jackson Buchanan, only for Coleraine to respond once more. With the game finely poised, Ballynahinch stepped up in the closing stages. Further tries from Thomas Kirkwood and Jackson Buchanan, along with a crucial conversion from Joshua Woods, ultimately secured a 30–22 victory.
It marks a significant milestone for Ballynahinch, lifting the U18 Plate for the first time in twenty years.
A Fitting Showcase of Youth Rugby
Across all three finals, players displayed exceptional skill, resilience, and sportsmanship despite challenging windy conditions.
From last-minute drama to standout individual performances, Meadowbank provided the perfect stage for a celebration of grassroots rugby at its finest, setting a high benchmark as the season approaches its conclusion.
Photography provided by The Front Row Union.
