Down High leave the Kingspan with heads held high

Dankse Bank Subsidiary Shield Final

Down High 10 Ballymena Academy 20

Despite leaving the Kingspan Stadium on Thursday as runners up, the Down HS 1st XV left proud. They were the first Down High team in 33 years to have made this final and their performance on the day, in front of a buoyant travelling support, was of the highest order.

It was Down HS that dominated the opening exchanges, with Zac Ward and Luke Sandford particularly prominent around the park. But the Ballymena defence was resolute and they were able to launch some attacks of their own, although they were unable to cross the whitewash. Both sides were unsuccessful with penalty opportunities before Ballymena outhalf Andrew Magrath registered the first points of the game from the tee on the half hour mark. However, Down HS fullback Joe Bingham kicked a penalty two minutes later to draw level but there was still time for Magrath to push his side ahead with another three pointer on the stroke of half time.

Half time: Ballymena Academy 6 Down HS 3

Both teams had opportunities after the break, including a missed Down HS penalty, but it was Ballymena who made the first breakthrough in the 42nd minute. Joe Thompson and Jonny McKewon were involved in the initial burst, before Magrath sent Angus Kernohan racing clear to score under the posts. Magrath added the conversion for a 13-3 lead.

The next period of the game was played in the middle third of the pitch and despite some good phases by both teams, the defences were on top.

The result was sealed for Ballymena when captain Josh McIlroy started and finished an attack five minutes from the end, with Magrath’s conversion extending the advantage to 20-3.

In a fitting finish to what had been a tighly contested fixture, Bingham got a consolation score at the death when he collected the ball in his own 22 and outpaced the tiring defence to touch down for a fine individual try. His conversion reduced the gap 20-10 as the final whistle sounded following an excellent game.