Medallion will take positives from performance

The Medallion team have suffered a lot of injuries and illness and so travelled to the game with a squad of 17 players.

From the kick-off Ballyclare High School controlled the game with big strong forwards making plenty of hard yards and punching holes in the Dalriada defence before their quick skilful backs were able to score out wide. About 20 minutes into the game Dalriada suffered two more injuries and were forced to bring on replacements just before the half-time whistle. Dalriada were down 24-0 and knew they had to raise the intensity if they were to get anything out of the game.

The second half began with the Dalriada maintaining the ball and making plenty of territory. Eventually they entered the opposition 22m and from this position they used their forwards effectively with David Dysart, Barry Armstrong and Adam Wright carrying the ball powerfully. The half back pairing of James Allen and Henry Ross shipped the ball wide for Jacob fleck to dive into the corner and score. It was then back to defending for Dalriada and with some ferocity Thomas Hunter, Nathan Philipson and Sam Dowey ensured Ballyclare did not cross the tryline in the second half. The back three of Levi Irwin, Oliver Watt and Khaleed Faheem were magnificent under the high ball in difficult conditions. The game finished 24-5.

The team can take consolation from the second half as they kept the big Ballyclare side from adding to their first half score. With several players coming back after their enforced break from playing they can look forward to building upon this performance.

The school and team would like to thank our sponsors to Greer, Hamilton and Gailey Solicitors, Hillmount Development, Superseal NI and McCauley Engineering for providing and sponsoring the new playing shirts, warm up tops and bags.