St. Ninian's senior boys played their final league game of the season today and it was the annual Douglas Cup against local rivals Ballakermeen! The match is rapidly being known as "The Bigger One" and took place at St. Ninian's Lower School Rugby Field.
At the start of the game you could cut the tension with a knife with both schools knowing it would be a close and hard fought battle, the outcome would decide their final league positions. It was Ballakermeen who started the brightest building attacks well with some excellent phases of play. It wasn't long until the pressure paid off and the Blue 'n' Yellows went over to score the first try. The Saints responded well and following some good attacking play from the backs Cole Donnelly, Monty Russell, James Leece and Reece Lally, the forwards then took it on with strong running from Ben Wilkinson, Josh Modin, Sam Barnett, Eddie Plaajties and finally finished off by captain Stephan De Beer to level the game up at 5-5. Balla then went back in front with a converted try, but the Saints bounced back again with a brilliant solo try from Modin with Wilkinson adding the conversion. Half time 12-12.
The second half started in similar fashion with the Balla boys going over again to go 17-12 up, but that seemed to galvanise the home side who scored two tries in quick succession. De Beer with the first after some excellent work in the ruck, and Donnelly with the next following another Modin run. Wilko converted both to give the Saints a 26-17 lead. Following a few breaks in play and with the light starting to fade, so too did Ballakermeen's chances as a now rampant St. Ninian's turned on the style as De Beer went in under the sticks for his hat-trick try and Donnelly grabbed his second of the game following more great forward play from Dave Cowin and Dylan Zach. Wilkinson slotted both conversions with confidence to seal the game for the Saints. Special mention to Spencer Clarke who made an excellent debut.
Well done to both teams who played a very hard fought, yet fair, game in a fantastic league finale!
Score: SNHS 40-17 BHS
Tries: De Beer (3), Donnelly (2), Modin
Conv: Wilkinson (5)
MotM: Josh Modin
Final league position: 3rd
Next game will be the SEMI-FINAL, most likely to be away at Ramsey.
