On Saturday Morning, Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to Holywood to play Sullivan Upper School in a Schools Friendly.
The opening quarter was very cagey, neither side could impose themselves and the game was largely played between the ‘22’s.
In the 22nd minute, Josh Gibson found space to score for Inst, midway out, on the left. Alex Place’s conversion put Inst 7-0 up.
Sullivan responded 4 minutes later, when Sam Harper scored. Harry McKeown’s conversion levelled the scores at 7-7, after 26 minutes.
Towards the end of the 1st half, Sullivan camped on the Inst line. After a series of rucks, McKeown powered over under the posts. His conversion hit the post. This miss would ultimately be significant. Sullivan led 12-7 at halftime.
On 40 minutes, a lineout maul was driven over for Euan Patterson to score. Place’s conversion moved Inst out to a 14-12 lead.
Inst enjoyed more of the play. In the 52 minute James Kerr broke from deep evading and out pacing the Sullivan defenders to score in the right corner for a 19-12 lead.
Sullivan replied quickly with a Jake Scott try to bring the score back to 17-19, after 58 minutes.
Both sides scrapped, through the closing minutes seeking a score that would settle the game. Inst held on for a tight 19-17 victory over a battling Sullivan side.
Match Gallery
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