It got decidedly more chilly at Shaws Bridge as the day progressed but neither of these two teams would have noticed as the temperature rose on the pitch.
This was a full blooded friendly and Academy started as if they had missed close contact over the last few months, setting about their hosts with unrestrained effort.
A try in the first quarter from Jude Cowley, converted by David Kenny, gave Academy a seven point lead and when Inst’s Colm Cregan was yellow carded as the quarter drew to an end it looked as though the visitors might open up a sizable lead.
However, Academy’s Rob Sturgess followed Cregan to the bin at the start of the second quarter and as this period progressed the home side began to enjoy more territory and Instonians finished off the first half with a try from Andrew Keane to take the score to 5 – 12.
The last two quarters were a reverse of the first half with Instonians piling on the pressure throughout the third quarter with a converted try from Angus Adair giving them a 12 – 7 lead.
Sure enough Academy came storming back in the final quarter and, after a few attempts, they found the line in the closing minutes with Crowley going over for his second at the bottom of a heap out wide. Kenny had a chance to take the game with the conversion from the touchline but it was pushed just wide.
Final score: Instonians 12 Academy 12
