Academy into semi-final of Subsidiary Shield

The Belfast visitors started much the stronger and deservedly took the lead after 5 minutes when Jordan Garford picked a clever running line and made no mistake from fifteen metres out.

The successful conversion made the score 7– 0.

Belfast High could have increased their lead when a long range penalty attempt dropped agonisingly short however Andrew Magrath made no mistake with his first effort of the morning to reduce the deficit to 7–3.

Ballymena Academy began to exert their authority on the match and a well-executed Gary Small kick was eventually gathered by Justin Jolly who touched down below the posts.

Magrath’s successful conversion made the score 10–7 and, moments later, Ballymena Academy scored again when young centre Marcus Rea powered over from close range.

Magrath’s conversion took the score to 17–7 as the half-time whistle sounded.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, from an attacking scrum, Ballymena executed a play straight off the training park which culminated in a well-taken try by Jonny Rosborough.

Andy Magrath converted and the Ballymena lead increased to 24–7.

A string of penalties conceded resulted in Ballymena losing a player to the sin bin, and with ten minutes left, Belfast High School kept the game alive with a converted try.

In the final five minutes, with the Shore Road boys trying to force the ball out of the tackle, a handling error was gathered by Andrew Magrath and the man of the match raced clear from 60 metres out to score and then convert his own try.

Ballymena Academy: Hanna, Rosborough, Rea, Small, Reynolds, Magrath, Archer; Gillan, McNabney, Stevenson, Thompson, Jolly, Bill, McKeown, Maguire. Rep. Alexander, White, Gaston, Thompson, Kosch.