Queen’s AIL drop but skipper James McKillop proud of sign-off victory over Highfield
Queen’s finished their AIL Division 1B campaign with a 31-19 victory over Highfield at the Dub.
Both sides had nothing to play for – with Queen’s already relegated and Highfield out of the play-off race, the students played some enterprising rugby, scoring five tries and captain James McKillop felt it was important to conclude with five points.
“It was a good win, obviously it's been a tough season but really good to finish on a high against a tough Highfield team,” said McKillop. “We started really well and then sort of let them back in a wee bit but now I'm really happy to get the win at the end of the season.
“I think we have tried to express ourselves and play with freedom all season, I think just sort of things like the last pass hasn't stuck...I'm really happy with how we were brave and we threw the ball about.
“I thought we really, really made it tough on them for them to defend and I'm really happy with how we moved the ball.”
The skipper pointed to circumstances as why the students went down but is positive for next season.
“It's been tough, we've been a bit unlucky with a lot of injuries in key positions,” he said. “But the young lads who have come in haven't broken stride and this has been a very, very valuable experience for them going into next year.
“We'll have a lot of boys already capped in the AIL this year so that'll be really good heading into next year.”
McKillop was proud to don the skipper’s armband this season for the students, taking over from Ulster lock Charlie Irvine.
“Obviously it's a huge honour, the season hasn't gone the way we wanted but I absolutely love captaining this group,” he said. “I think it's taken my game up, this responsibility has been class and I've loved every minute of it.”
McKillop was 24th man for Ulster in Parma last Saturday and has been added to Richie Murphy’s European Challenge Cup squad.
“Hopefully try and push on, we know we're coming to the end of the season but just be ready...nothing really changes for me,” said McKillop. “I'll just be ready and if the opportunity comes, I'll hopefully grasp it with two hands.”
Flanker Josh Stevens scored two tries in his last game for Queen’s, Ryan Street – also departing in the summer – went over as well. Jonny Scott and Clark Logan added the other tries for the students.
Instonians finished third in the table and will travel to Trinity for the play-off semi-final as Paul Pritchard’s side lost 47-26 in Naas.
City of Armagh lost 45-0 to champions Old Wesley.
IN 1A, Adam Craig failed to sign off his tenure as Ballynahinch coach with a win, going down 22-12 at Young Munster.
Dungannon will travel to Shannon in the 2A play-offs, as a 33-14 bonus point win over Greytones meant the Stevenson Park side finished third.
Ballymena beat Old Crescent 45-3 and Banbridge lost 31-5 to Corinthians.
Clogher Valley face a trip to Limerick to meet UL Boh’s in the 2B play-off off a 19-14 Ulster derby victory over Rainey as Malone lost 36-25 at Enniscorthy.
Belfast Harlequins have been relegated to junior rugby after finishing bottom of 2C off a 31-14 loss as Ballyclare lost 23-29 at home to Clonmel.