Seconds and Medallion side progress in cup competitions

IN the same week as the firsts played their Quarter final two other Dalriada sides also were in Cup action.

The 2nd XV played a replay game against Belfast High and in a very tight struggle emerged winners 6-3 John Laughlin kicking two penalties.

They now take on Methodist College Belfast in a quarter final clash.

In the Medallion Trophy quarter final Dalriada took on Portora Royal from Enniskillen and with frozen pitch problems managed to get the game played at Ballymoney High.

Dalriada started slowly and in an early play the ball was kicked through for a chase for the line, which the Portora winger won.

The conversion was missed and Dalriada were five points down with as many minutes played.

The boys did not any waste time making amends for this and quickly pressurised the Portora line. Good breaks from first Johnny Allan and then Stuart Fallows took the play to short on the Portora line and David Holmes was there to score to the right of the posts.

With the easy conversion, Dalriada took the lead and continued to press for points keeping the ball in the Portora half and another try came from Philip Taylor.

However Portora came right back at Dalriada and scored a converted try near the end of the half.

Following an offside at a kick ahead, a penalty was awarded to Dalriada which Jamie Gardiner kicked to slot another 3 points - leaving the score at half time Dalriada 15 Portora 12 . Andrew Wells replaced Philip Linton on the left wing at half time.

Dalriada started the second half strongly but missed a penalty kick to the left of the posts. Ten minutes in Dalriada were awarded another penalty which they took quickly and Henry Loan made good yardage before being illegally dragged to ground.

From the ruck, the ball was recycled quickly by Timothy Creaney and quick hands to Stuart Fallows saw him ghost between the two Portora centres to touch down to the left of the posts.

The conversion took the score to 22-12 and a breathing space of sorts. Portora struggled to get into the Dalriada half and had only one penalty attempt which went wide.

Andrew McWilliams put in a great second half performance,winning crucial turnover ball and after a scrum, won against the head by Adam Pollock, Portora started to tire.

A break by Johnny Allan was just bundled into touch,in goal and from the resultant 22 drop out, Dalriada continued to pressurise the Portora line.

With 26 minutes played of the second half, David Holmes made a surging break from a scrum and made good yardage.

The resultant ruck was won and the ball passed back to Jamie Gardiner on the Portora 22.

He placed a high kick and with the Portora fullback out of position, the ball bounced nicely for the chasing Dalriada centres.

Stuart Fallows recovered the ball and passed to Johnny Allan who was held up 5 metres out.

Philip Taylor picked up but his drive for the line was held up and Adam Pollock was on hand to drive over the line. The conversion took the score to 29-12 and the final whistle minutes later saw Dalriada through to the semi-finals .

Everyone deserves a mention from Ryan Malcomson, who did not miss a tackle and Peter Johnston who lead by example, Adam Hodges who impressed in the line out, Josh Hetherington for his strong running, Timothy Emerson secure under the high ball at fullback, through to Philip Linton who although replaced at half time, by strong running Andrew Wells, had an assist in Philip Taylor's try.

Thanks also to the long suffering substitutes Josh McCormack, Mark Matthews, Scott McCollum, Andrew Kinnaird, Allen Carruthers, David Mckeeman and Matthew Steele, who although did not get game time, supported the team throughout.