Sullivan Upper battled through to the next round of the Medallion Shield with a hard fought win at Ballyclare High.
The visitors edged the game thanks to the prolific boot of out half Max Shannon who was able to keep the visitors in the right half of the park most often.
The defences edged the first quarter with the first score coming 18 minutes in when Sullivan’s Charlie Parker crashed over after Ballyclare were unable to clear their lines. Shannon knocked over the conversion to give Sullivan a 0 – 7 lead.
Ballyclare replied within three minutes, keeping Sullivan pinned in their own territory from the restart. Tom McAllister battled over from close range with Max Scott adding the extras to tie the game at 7 – all.
The visitors came close twice more in the first half but Ballyclare’s scrambling defence was able to keep them out.
The scores came thick and fast in the second half with Sullivan’s Parker crossing for his second early in the third quarter, Shannon converting.
Ballyclare’s James Spence hit back with an unconverted try seven minutes later before Harry Tindle went over for the visitors. Spence completed his brace minutes later to take the score to 17 – 19 in Sullivan’s favour.
A tense final period ensued as both sides battled for the win, however it was a clever grubber from Shannon that decided the game with Sullivan’s Rory Fulton chasing it down to score in the corner for a Sullivan win by 17 – 24.
