Friends School Rugby Notes: Medallion I XV just Pipped by Portadown Medallion I XV: Report + 160 Action Shots LIVE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friends School Lisburn Medallion XV travelled to Portadown College for their final game before the next round of the Medallion Shield. Missing 5 players from the previous match against Campbell College, the Friends coaching staff were interested to see how the side would perform with players covering out of position.
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The game started as a contest from the off, both teams committed well in the breakdown area and both sides made their tackles , it was not until the 22 minute mark when Friends fullback, Rian McGoldrick made a break and offloaded to centre Ryan Hall who scored just wide of the posts, conversion was missed, 0 -5

Friends claimed the restart but failed to get out of their half, a lapse in defence saw Portadown equalise the score, the conversion was missed making the halftime score 5 – 5.

The second half started with Friends dominating play but conceding a penalty which was kicked 8- 5.

Some 3 minutes later Friends fullback McGoldrick made his way again through the home defence with supporting Hall, McGoldrick gave a well timed pass and Hall forced his way through the defence to score , converted by James Maxwell, 8 – 12.

Some 11 minutes later after a great Friends scrum McGoldrick went over for his own try 8 – 17.

After a stoppage in play Portadown generated a well worked try 13 – 17.

In the closing moments of the game the Friends defence relaxed and Portadown made the best of this with a converted try ma\king the final score 20 -17 for the home side.

A very entertaining game in which Friends controlled the play however a lesson was learnt form the relaxing of the defence.