DOWN High’s Medallion side produced a mature performance in tough conditions on Saturday at Wellington College to win the Medallion Bowl final against Ballyclare High School.
Playing into a stiff wind in the first half, Down High did a good job of controlling possession and applied plenty of pressure on the Co Antrim team.
Despite this, when Ballyclare got hold of the ball it was easy for them to get into Down territory, given the strength of the wind. Ballyclare scored the first points through a penalty 10 minutes into the game.
They added a second penalty after 25 minutes. Down didn’t score any first half points, but were pleased to have kept Ballyclare under double figures with the score at 6-0 going into the break.
The positive impact of the wind for Down High in the second half became apparent very quickly. Out half Adam Colgan marshalled his troops well and kicked off both feet at times to pin Ballyclare in their own half.
The Down defensive effort was also disciplined which didn’t allow Ballyclare any easy exits.
With seven minutes played in the half, Down pressure soon led to points when captain Rhodri Phillips finished off a period of sustained pressure on the Ballyclare line to score an unconverted try.
Ballyclare battled hard for the following period, but as play entered the final quarter Fionn Carey barged over after a series of pick and drives close to the Ballyclare line. The conversion drifted wide leaving Down with a four point lead.
With five minutes to go a Rhodri Phillips penalty left the game at 13-6. Ballyclare did mount a few attacks, but the Down High defence held firm. The final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes as the Down boys were crowned Bowl winners.
Having lost a string of six games in a row at one point earlier in the season, this result was testimony to the boys’ resilience and also the support and tutelage of coaches Maurice Irvine and James McBriar.
In other Down High rugby news, this Saturday sees the 1st XV travel to Bangor Grammar for the semi-final of the Danske Bank Subsidiary Shield with a 10.30kick off.