The Front Row Union Sport - Medallion Shield: Wellington College 0 Larne Grammar 45

Wellington College and Larne Grammar kicked off this season’s Medallion Shield, on Saturday, with a mid morning match at Carolan Road.

Despite a big effort from the home side, it was Larne who came out on top with a strong performance from the young team that we’ve caught a few times as they progressed through the age grades at Larne RFC.

With access restricted until KO due to ongoing exams, in the school grounds, Larne were 0 – 10 up by the time I’d got settled in a suitable location pitch-side. Larne’s centre Ryan McDowell opened the scoring out wide before No 8 Ethan Anderson added the second unconverted try shortly after.

A Wellington College attack is halted by the Larne defence in the opening fixture of the Medallion Shield

Wellington regrouped and spent a bit of time in Larne’s territory before a break out by Larne’s out half, Ethan Duncan, lead to hooker, Thomas Patton, battling over in the corner. The impressive Anderson added two tries more before the break and with Duncan adding three conversions the teams turned round with Larne leading 31 – 0.

Reuben Marsden sets off on his try scoring run from deep inside the Larne half.

Larne added three more tries in the second half with the front five to the fore; prop Adam Wallace crossed before a blistering run by second row Reuben Marsden ended up under the posts. Prop Andrew Murray also went over under the posts for the final score, the game called at that stage as a 0 – 45 win for Larne.