2024 : Medallion Plate Final : Methody v Ballymena Academy : 12 March 2024

METHODY 22-14 BALLYMENA ACADEMY - 12 MARCH 2024 at ROUGHFORT HALF-TIME: MCB 5-0 BALLYMENA Extended Highlights Watch extended highlights of the 2024 Medallion Plate Final - held at Roughfort playing fields in north Belfast - as Methody take on Ballymena Academy. Both teams exited the Medallion Shield in the Last 16 round - MCB losing to Campbell and Ballymena to RBAI. The first half of this game was a stop-start sort of game with a number of scrums, penalties and lost line outs. It was only towards the end of the half that a try was scored after a number of rucks close to the Ballymena line - by the MCB No 7 Zandrei Salazar. Early in the second half MCB were given a penalty in the Ballymena '22 and with their line out malfunctioning in the first half - Methody chose to take a scrum. A good scrum wheeled slightly to the right and with a No 8 pickup - a pass to the scrum half and a short ball to the crashing Peter Lindsay - the No 13 forced his way to the line for a score. Not converted the score was 10-0 after approx 5 minutes of the second half. Soon after it was Ballymena applying pressure in the MCB '22 when they charged down a kick from the MCB 10 - and taking passion they worked a couple of rucks as they crossed the field and finally scored from close-in on the left corner. A good kick converted the try for 10-7 after ten minutes of the second half. However it wasn't long before Methody struck back! With possession 20 metres out from the Ballymena line MCB crossed the field and back with three rucks - finally distributing the ball out the backline. Peter Lindsay at 13 passed to Cillian Hall in a little space - and Cillian finished well handing off the Ballymena 15 to get over the line (not converted). Score 15-7. For the next ten minutes it was generally Ballymena applying good pressure on MCB. However when they received a penalty on the halfway line Ballymena knew that with time running out they needed to take some chances and so they tapped and ran. But a long pass along their backline was intercepted by No 13 Peter Lindsay who put his foot down and ran the ball in from 40 metres out. This try was converted for 22-7. Ballymena responded well and encamped themselves for the next few minutes in the MCB 22. Retaining possession well they kept testing the MCB defence until finally their No 11 on his opposite wing forced his way over. As the final tackle from the MCB 11 was high the referee gave a penalty try and a yellow card. Methody 22-14 Ballymena. There was very little time left and from the MCB kick-off Ballymena conceded a penalty and MCB kicked the ball out so the referee (who had a very good game) could blow for full-time. Congratulations to Methody - 2024 Medallion Plate winners.