Medallion Plate Success
Congratulations to Grosvenor’s Medallion rugby squad which prevailed in a tight-fought encounter against Rainey Endowed in the final of the Medallion Plate competition, held at Roughfort playing fields on the morning of Saturday 16th March.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Grosvenor launched a series of attacks which were repulsed by a sound Rainey defence, but grabbed the lead midway through the first half when captain and inside centre Lewis Young successfully converted a penalty from close to the halfway line. Having struck first blood Grosvenor then added further to their lead when Young, again, finished off a sweeping move which saw him run a try in from all of forty metres, as he touched down close to the posts, giving his side a well-earned 8-0 half-time lead.
Despite this healthy cushion the Grosvenor lead was soon narrowed when Rainey’s Andrew Stewart squeezed home in the corner, following a number of phases close to the GGS line, for a try which, once converted by Andrew Thom, reduced the Grosvenor lead to a perilous one point. Despite the close state of affairs, however, Grosvenor’s forward ball control prevented Rainey from gaining any meaningful possession and they were able to play out the game in the opposition half - with Rainey unable to gain a foothold in the Grosvenor ‘22’ despite having the wind at their backs - to emerge victorious and deservedly secure the Medallion Plate to bring back to Marina Park.
Standout performers on the day were the aforementioned Lewis Young, who scored all eight of the team’s points; flanker Michael Baird, who tackled tirelessly throughout; hooker Zelig Young, whose ball carrying was an important feature of the team’s play, as well as half-backs Matthew Sweetlove and Ben Johnston, who controlled the game well with their passing and kicking throughout.
Grosvenor’s place in the final itself was hard-earned, having defeated Ballyclare High School 12-10 away from home in the quarter finals, thanks to tries from Lewis Young and Matthew Sweetlove, before defeating Wallace High School 12-7 in the semis following yet another try from Lewis Young. Given the challenging pathway which the team negotiated on route to the final, it is therefore all the more satisfying that the team took its opportunity on Saturday, bringing home some well-earned silverware to display proudly in the School’s trophy cabinet.
Well done to each and every member of the squad who has represented the School throughout the season, as well as their dedicated coaching team, led by Mr Peter Thompson and ably supported by Mr Shane Johnston and Mr Gary Hunter; hopefully this latest success will be just a springboard for further sporting success within Grosvenor over the seasons to come.