On a bright, sunny but cool morning Dalriada School travelled to Bangor Grammar for a Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi Final.

It was nip and tuck for the first 15 minutes before Rhys Larmour broke the deadlock with a penalty goal to give Bangor a 3 – 0 lead.

Dalriada responded with a well taken Nathan Philipson try, under the posts, following a 40 metre run, in which he brushed off several despairing tackles. Paddy Carson converted to given Dalriada a 7 – 3 lead.

Almost immediately Bangor replied with a try from Angus Clarke, following his quickly taken penalty to restore a 8 – 7 lead.

Not to be outdone Dalriada replied with an interception try from Luke Pollock and though he appeared to knock the ball on, in the act of grounding, a try was awarded. Carson converted to give Dalriada a 14 – 8 lead as half time approached.

In almost the last move to the first half, Aaron Sexton squeezed in at the corner and Larmour converted to leave the half time score 15 – 14 in Bangor’s favour.

Dalriada restored their lead shortly after the break, with a Carson penalty goal to lead 17 – 15. Bangor’s territorial & possession domination began to have effect and Dalriada conceded 3 converted tries from props Ben McCrossan and Robbie Grant and fly half Larmour, who added the extras for all three.

Bangor thoroughly deserved their 36 – 17 win and can look forward to the Subsidiary Shield Final against local rivals, Sullivan Upper School at the Queens Arena on 20th march.

GALLERY BELOW

Report and photo credit – Bob Given Photography