Disappointment for Wallace in Medallion final

WALLACE HIGH SCHOOL 0

CAMPBELL COLLEGE 17 MEDALLION SHIELD FINAL REPORT)

THE Wallace High School were defeated in the Danske Bank Medallion Shield final at Ravenhill by an excellent Campbell College team on Monday.

Despite defeating the Belfast school narrowly in September, the coaching staff at the Lisburn school were expecting a tough game against a school who traditionally come good after Christmas. As ever, a large crowd from Wallace attended the final with fifteen buses filled with supporters who had their faces painted navy and white, many of whom had created banners for their favorite players. This resulted in a superb atmosphere as the large crowd waited for the much anticipated game.

Wallace played with the breeze in the first half and made initial inroads into Campbell territory with number 8 Jacob Singleton carrying effectively. Ben Finlay and Adam McCallum were constant threats in wide channels and McCallum almost scored the first try of the game after a superb break from a turnover. Good defending from Campbell on this occasion thwarted the opportunity for the Lisburn school to get crucial points on the board.

As the half wore on Campbell played their way more and more into the game and after a period of sustained territory went over for a well worked try in the corner after 21 minutes. After the missed conversion the Wallace players seemed to re focus and applied serious pressure to the Campbell line in the remaining minutes of the half. Again Campbell defended heroically to prevent Wallace getting a well deserved score on the board.

The second half was always going to be difficult against the wind and despite a period in the middle of the second half spent in the Campbell 22, they were unable to turn territory into points. Michael Smyth, Tom Baird and Andrew Morrow were in the ascendancy in the line out but ultimately could not turn this dominance into points.

Campbell sealed victory with four minutes remaining with another try, this time converted and scored another late on to put a rather unflattering edge to he score line.

Head Coach, Mr Neil Hinds, was understandably proud of the players achievements and commented: “We have had a great season and as a school community we are very proud of the progress the Medallion have made. Their attitude and work ethic have been superb. Our 800 supporters who travelled to Ravenhill created a fantastic atmosphere which our players and staff will never forget.”

Mrs Deborah O’Hare, School Principal also added: “The school community enjoyed another rugby final at Ravenhill on 11 March. Members of the Medallion team showed their pride in Wallace and their love of rugby, cheered on by about 800 Wallace supporters. On behalf of the Wallace community I should like to express how immensely proud we all feel of these young players and their coaches. The Campbell College side was a formidable opponent. I congratulate them, on behalf of our school, on their victory. From charitable face painting to singing school anthems the experience of being in another final has been enjoyed by the whole school community.”

Wallace Team: Kyle Hayes, Adam Heaps, Ben Finlay, Ryan Garnham, Adam McCallum, Ryan Wilson, Jonny Stewart (captain), Nathan Harper, Michael Smyth, Ross Waite, Tom Baird, Andrew Morrow, Adam Galashan, Gary Dillon, Jacob Singleton

Replacements: David Kerr, Nicholas Woods, Sam McCormick, Toby Kerr, Zach Scott, Dean Farr, Hector Epanomeritakis, Neil Stewart

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