The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl took place at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort. Carrickfergus Grammar School and Grosvenor Grammar School met in an exciting game which the Grosvenor team won by 17-10.
In excellent conditions at Roughfort, Carrickfergus Grammar School and Grosvenor Grammar School fought an evenly contested Danske Bank Medallion Trophy encounter. Early pressure from Carrick brought lots of effort but nothing on the scoreboard. Grosvenor rallied and following sustained pressure on the Carrickfergus line centre, Jonah McDowell, outsprinted the Carrick defence for a try, which he could not convert, to give his Grosvenor team a 5-0 lead. Carrickfergus Grammar School responded by talking play close to the Grosvenor line and were rewarded with a penalty which was converted by centre, Marc Ellison, bringing the score to 5-3 in Grosvenor’s favour. The half time whistle was nearing when a series of forward drives resulted in burly Grosvenor tight head prop, Andrew Boyd, smashing his way over for a try, which, once again, was not converted. However, it was the Grosvenor Grammar School team that had a 10-3 lead at the interval.
The second half showed that the Carrickfergus Grammar School team was not going to lie down and they started to ask questions of Grosvenor’s resolute defence. The defence held out despite being under under extreme pressure. Eventually, Grosvenor broke out of their half and, against the run of play, centre Jonah McDowell scampered over for his second try, which he was able to convert from a tight angle to put Gorvenor Grammar School into a 17-3 lead. Carrick refused to give in and, following a quick penalty, their out half, Fionn McCormack, scored a well- taken try. The conversion attempt from Marc Ellison was successful taking the score to 17-10 in Grosvenor’s favour. The final minutes were contested in the Carrick 22m area and the final whistle blew, leaving Grosvenor Grammar School narrow, but deserved, victors. The Grosvenor centre, Jonah McDowell, in scoring twelve points for his team was outstanding as was the tireless Grosvenor Grammar School flanker, Medani Elshibly.
Following the final whistle, Mr Ian H Graham, former Director of Physical Recreation and Movement Studies at Grosvenor Grammar School and current Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee, congratulated both teams on their contribution to an excellent final, thanked the referee and his officials for their input, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship and thanked the Principal and ground staff of Belfast Royal Academy for the use of their excellent facilities.
Mr Graham then presented the medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl to the captain of the victorious Grosvenor Grammar School team.,
