The LGS Medallions entered the season optimistic about their chances of making their mark in the Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield. A significant number of the boys represented the Medallions last season, helping the older squad to wins in the first two rounds of the competition.
Before the Shield kicked off, the team travelled to Dalriada (10-7 Loss), Foyle (7-21 W), Antrim to play Antrim (7-19 W) and Wallace (5-12 L), Coleraine (24-12 L) and Larne (40-24 L), before hosting Omagh (22-19 W). This mixed set of results showed how competitive Medallion Rugby was going to be.
Hoping to build momentum in the competition, LGS entered at Round 2. They were drawn at home, but would host the Medallion team of eventual Schools’ Cup Finalists, RS Armagh. The boys knew this would be a real challenge, this early in the competition. The Medallions put in a huge performance. However, they were met by a big defensive effort from the visitors. With the scores in the balance throughout, Armagh confirmed their victory with a late try, winning 7-20.
This knocked the team into the Medallion Trophy competition, and were once again drawn at home. But, in another cruel twist of fate, they were drawn against Belfast HS, one of the few teams to defeat the team at home the previous season. Some super team play and standout performances from Alex M, Matthew L and Matthew R gave Limavady a commanding 8-0 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. In the blink of an eye, the home side found themselves defending their line, and the lead, after conceding their first points of the game. A heroic tackle from captain, Matthew L, just shy of the final whistle, gave Limavady a lineout 5 metres out and a chance to close out the victory. But heartbreak, as the visiting captain rose out of the line to snatch possession before driving over the line to snatch the victory, 8-12.
In a friendly to complete the season, LGS hosted local rivals, Coleraine GS. With plenty of frustration from both sides, the Limavady team showed real grit and determination to win 19-7.
A season that promised so much, but ultimately ended before it really got going. Both Armagh and Belfast HS went on to win the respective competitions, highlighting the fine margins in sport between success and defeat. Mr Dunlop commented after the final game, “Mr Laird and I are really proud of this group of boys. They have been excellent ambassadors for the school and for the sport, and have been desperately unlucky not to have progressed further this season. I have no doubt that this squad will push on into Senior Rugby and will use the experience from this year to bring them success in future campaigns. Matthew has led this team superbly for the past 4 seasons, with support in particular from Joseph, Charlie and Ewan, but the squad as a whole has always shown great commitment to training and put their best on the pitch every Saturday morning.”