After an early start, the Medallion boys made the Journey to Newtonards to Meet Regent House From the start it was evident that we were in for a very physical game as the Regent pack threw themselves into rucks and mauls to return possession at the breakdown and achieve solid recycling of the ball. The ERGS line held well and showed significant improvement from the previous week; Johnston, Pattison and Smith on the wings repeatedly closing the door on their advancing opposite numbers and Browne and Johnston-Martin hassling the Regent 9 and 10 to limit the spread of the ball. However, eventually the Regent boys found a gap and were able to score and convert 7-0. At the restart the ERGS boys took the game to Regent and started to use their pace and offload to push the Regent boys back into their own 22. Some intense play and self belief became evident and as the play broke down into a ruck near the line and a blistering run by No. 8 Guoby’s with a perfectly timed pass from McConkey resulted in an unstoppable dive over the line to score. 7-5.
As the second half commenced, it was anybody’s game. Both teams started with the intensity they had displayed in the first half. Huge individual performances from the whole squad repeatedly promised another imminent score but it was Regent who scored first under the posts and converted. With ten minutes to go, the ERGS boys rallied again with the pack hammering the Regent defence to try and create the much needed overlap. Impressive runs from Owen, Weir, Clarke and Guobys came so close to bringing the sides level but to no avail. A glimpse of hope in the dying minutes saw McConkey clear a loose ball from a Regent scrum and head for what looked like a guaranteed score, only to be blown-up by the Referee for a re-scrum. A frustrating call and ending for the boys but this was always going to be a tough game so far from home. Final score 14-5.
