Parking spaces were at a premium, at Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt, on Saturday morning, the neutral venue, for the Medallion Shield semi final, between Ballymena Academy and Belfast Royal Academy.

The match only had 3 tries but what it lacked in that respect was more than made up for in excitement, commitment and skill.

Nerves played their part in the opening exchanges before patterns settled. BRA took the lead in the 10th minute, with a Conor McVicker penalty goal.

Ballymena started to be pinged, when isolated forward drives were penalised for the player holding on, on the ground. From one of these McVicker increased BRA’s lead to 6-0, after 16 minutes.

Ballymena steadied and play was very even, both sides mixing forward drives and back movements.