Medallion Rugby - Match Report V Wallace

Ballyclare High 21:19 Wallace High

This was guaranteed to be an exciting match after last years high scoring draw between both teams and it didn’t disappoint. Wallace got the first points of the game after good work sucking our forwards into the ruck before passing the ball out wide for a try in the corner. It was a well worked try and just the start Ballyclare didn’t want.

Luckily for Ballyclare, Wallace’s ill discipline let them down as we scored three penalties through the boot of fly-half Simon Beattie. During the rest of the half we dominated territory.

Come the second half Wallace were fired up again and due to missed tackles and poor communication in the Ballyclare ranks they scored another early try.

The score was now 9:12 in favour of Wallace and we needed to get back up in their half and put pressure on them. This was exactly what we did and with about ten minutes remaining in the game Beattie made an amazing run to the corner to score an individual try. Unfortunately he couldn’t add the points from the boot but everyone thought we could hold on for the win.

Wallace didn’t though, and came back at us with everything they had and again poor communication led to a try to Wallace right under the posts. Now it was Wallace’s turn to think they had won the game.

We never gave up though and continued to dominate possession and territory and twice went close to scoring with chips over the top. We were awarded a scrum right at the end of the match on Wallace’s 22 and knew this was our last chance to win the game. Peter McMechan picked up from the back of the scrum and made a few precious yards. It was quick ball and was out to the backs were Stephen McArthur ran through about three tackles to score under the posts.

Everyone celebrated but the game wasn’t over yet, and even though it was an easy kick there was a lot of pressure on Beattie. But he didn’t let us down and got the kick. That was the final play of the game and meant that Wallace had no chance of a comeback.

Best Forward: Peter McMechan

Best Back: Simon Beattie/ Stephen McArthur