Impressive ERGS Medallions share the final spoils

The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Medallion side had to settle for a share of the spoils in their final encounter against Banbridge Academy following a thrilling decider on Thursday afternoon.

The young ERGS will be a shade disappointed having 12-5 in the second half but equally this game could have gone either way and their overall performance was indicative of a tremendous season of much progress.

The start didn’t go quite to plan for ERGS with Banbridge fielding the kick off extremely well and getting into attack shape pretty quickly. Defensively ERGS were slow to shut down the space and this proved costly as the Banbridge scrum half exploited some space at the edge of the ruck to open the scoring within five minutes for a try that was not converted.

It took the ERGS boys probably 20 minutes to settle into the game but when they relaxed into their structures, the rugby played was top drawer.

A lineout just outside the Banbridge 22 gave the perfect platform and ERGS didn’t disappoint. With the lineout secured from Joshua Ovens it was quickly moved to Jake Irwin at 12. The first of two carries in this play saw him make 15 metres on the carry.

Quick ruck ball snapped right to Sam Clarke and another five or six metres gained. The forwards continued to work the ball to the edge and quick recycling to the open side saw good footwork from Alfie Savage on the carry.

Quick ball recycling again gave Irwin his second carry with as many metres gained as the first. As the ruck ball was secured by McLernan, Clark and Keown, Jamie Morrow took responsibility at 10 and was quick to realise the space. Distribution to full back Dylan Kitchen was accurate and with only three defenders to navigate, Kitchen delivered the first try.

A really clinical finish to what was excellent rugby. Irwin successfully converted and ERGS led 7-5 at the break.

Growing in confidence

ERGS started the second half pretty much as they ended the first with some really improved defensive sets. They were managing the Banbridge attack pretty well and as the half progressed they also grew in confidence with ball in hand.

From centre field, ERGS attacked towards the left-hand touch line. A kick through was chased down and forced the Banbridge knock on inside their 22.

Paton called for a scrum just left of the posts. It was a perfect field position for attack and with the ball moving swiftly towards Jamie Morrow the pass accuracy was a little short and the opportunity was missed.

Nevertheless, the ERGS boys maintained pressure inside the Banbridge half.

It was a pretty tough but fair contest as both defences worked tirelessly to thwart any real attack. That was until Harry Fallis stepped up and decided to round the Banbridge defence with some pretty amazing pace. Not only did he beat the cover defence for pace, but he showed real strength to get the touchdown. The conversion was narrowly missed and ERGS now led by 7 at 12-5.

Banbridge were undeterred and showed great courage to respond positively. They pressed with a physical ball carry game which really made the ERGS defence work hard. Yet with many attempts to break cover, the ERGS line held.

Running out of options Banbridge resorted to a kick to gain territory and with a badly executed exit from the ERGS 22, Banbridge capitalised and scored their second try. Their kicker held his nerve and slotted the conversion to level the game at 12-12.

With all to play for both teams gave everything to try and get the decisive score. It was ERGS who started to gain the upper hand and forced Banbridge into conceding a couple of penalties just inside their half. Two very difficult kicks and unfortunately both attempts to convert were pushed just wide.

As the game entered the final stages it was Banbridge who were on the front foot in the ERGS 22. Some last ditch tackling and a textbook turnover by Levi McVeigh prevented a real scoring opportunity. What was to be the last play saw ERGS on the attack with Kitchen forced into touch inside the Banbridge half.

The final whistle provided a somewhat disappointed feeling within the ERGS boys. That shows how far this team has progressed this season.

The very expectation to win Medallion silverware would have been farfetched in September when playing numbers were below a team quota never mind a squad, yet here they are competing and arguably getting the better of the opposition in the final performance.

A season and a final performance every Medallion player should be extremely proud of. 

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