Instonians overcame Belfast High School in the fourth round of the Medallion Shield, winning 12-0 at Jordanstown on Saturday.
In a game dominated by defence and mistakes, it was RBAI’s clinical ability to capitalise on errors that won the match.
It started after only two minutes after a BHS missed tackle let Inst’s out-half Ally Hill over on the right wing for an unconverted try.
But the High School didn’t let the early score prick their confidence and responded with a period of pressure, but Inst’s solid defence kept the home team from crossing the line.
BHS nearly went over twice in the first 20 minutes, but flanker Scott White was held up inches from the line, while the speedy full back Darren Scott found himself exposed close to the try line, allowing RBAI to clear their lines after he held on to the ball following the tackle.
Inst took advantage with a patient build-up into the High School’s area, and the home team were penalised for a high tackle on Inst’s elusive out half Hill. Full back Thomas Luke missed the chance to extend his team’s lead, with the kick straying wide of the posts.
Belfast High started brighter in the second half. After Inst were penalised a couple of times, Darren Scott got the chance to show his pace with a great break down the left wing, but he was bundled into touch by Inst’s winger Jack Conlan and very mobile flanker Andrew Thompson.
The game continued in good spirits with both defences dominating and BHS pressing for an equalising try.
Then with 15 minutes to go came the killer blow. After a period of pressure, the home team knocked on after an attacking scrum 5 metres from the Inst line. Centre Robert Lyttle hacked down the pitch three times and touched down – with Thomas Luke adding the two points from the left-hand side to make the score 12-0.
RBAI’s coach, Peter Sheppard, said: “Belfast High played good, expansive rugby, but our tackling was good and we took our chances.”
BHS coach, Mickey Rainey said: “I am proud of the team’s performance. It was physically their best performance as a unit. We were one pass away from an equalising try and suddenly we were 12 nil down. It was a very, very even game.”
