Banbridge Academy 17 – 0 Cambridge House

30/01/18

Banbridge Academy’s Medallion XV saw off a spirited Cambridge House side on a cold Tuesday afternoon to reach the Semi-Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl. Having been knocked out of the main competition by local rivals Dromore HS, this result was the perfect response from the Academy side. The home side now face a trip to Limavady GS with the winners facing either Omagh Academy or Bangor GS in the final. The Academy side started the brighter of the two teams and after 15 minutes flanker Dovydas Liutvinas forced his way over from a loose throw at a 5m lineout. Scrum half Harry Patterson was unable to add the extras. The home side continued to play most of the rugby in the first half but a mixture of unforced errors and resolute Cambridge defence denied any further scores. However, two minutes before half time great work by second row Jason Fitzsimons and winger Paddy Adams brought play deep into the Cambridge half. A number of strong carries from hooker Marc Murphy and wing forward Ben Bradshaw saw Harry Patterson dive over from a few metres out. The same player was again unsuccessful with the conversion attempt leaving the half time score 10-0. Playing against a strong breeze in the second half the Academy knew that they would have to work hard for that all illusive third score to effectively kill the game off. Although it didn’t come until the final five minutes it was certainly worth the wait. Winger Ethan Somerville was held up 15m from the line after great work from the backline. Further carries from Captain Niall Malcolmson and centre Marcus McNeill created the space out wide for number 8 Jake Houston to dive over in the corner. It was third time lucky for Patterson who slotted the conversion to leave the final score 17-0 in favour of the home side. Coaches Tim Baxter and Brian O’Shaughnessy were delighted with the result and now look forward to the trip north to face Limavady GS with a place in the final at stake. The Banbridge Academy Medallion XV are extremely grateful to their sponsors Radius Housing.

Banbridge Academy Medallion XV.

Alex Porter, Marc Murphy, Scott Graham, Jason Fitzsimons, Louis O’Neill, Dovydas Liutvinas, Ben Bradshaw, Jake Houston, Harry Patterson, Niall Malcolmson (C), Paddy Adams, Ben Russell, Marcus McNeill, Ethan Somerville, Matthew Hutchinson. Subs: John McAlister, James McFadden, Alex Parker, Will Russell, Matthew Daly, JB McElroy, Paddy Curran.