2024: MedallionShieldQtrfinal: RBAI v CCB :3 Feb 2024

RBAI 15-13 CCB
EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
On a beautiful sunny morning RBAI met CCB in quarter-final of the 2024 Medallion Shield.
CCB had defeated MCB 17-0 in the Last 16 game two weeks previously while RBAI had defeated Ballymena 3-31 away on 26 Jan.
There are clearly a number of talented and athletic players on both the RBAI and CCB teams but the first half was strewn with handling errors, scrums and turnovers. RBAI's first try came off two steals at line out in succession in the CCB '22 and CCB won't be happy with their defence at the line.
By far the best period of rugby in this half came at the end with an extended period of work from the Inst forwards that set up a swift backs move leading to a score in CCB's left corner by the RBAI right wing.
12-3 at half-time but with both teams looking pretty evenly matched CCB weren't out of this.
The rugby in the second-half wasn't quite as frantic as the first - so the two teams maintained possession better and the quality of play while never hitting any great heights - did improve.
Generally CCB had the majority of possession and were applying the most pressure - not unexpected as they were behind on the scoreboard.
CCB deserved their try through their No 8 ten minutes from time - and this gave them a 12-13 lead.
Inst reacted well and made their way downfield and applied good pressure on CCB's defence earning themselves a penalty which their No 12 calmly converted.
CCB had perhaps 5 minutes to try and grab the deciding score and they came very close on RBAI's left side by a last ditch tackle just forced a CCB foot into touch a metre short of the try line.
CCB had another tap-and-go effort but Inst held out very well but were still very relieved when the ref blew for halftime.
MCB will now advance to the semi-finals knowing that they are the heavy favourites to go on and win the Medallion Shield.