Medallion Rugby
Squad DetailsThis year's medallion squad are a most promising group of players who are very committed to the game.
Coaches: Mr Knox, Mr Irvine, Mr Carson Training: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. |
Medallion Sponsors
The medallion squad are very kindly sponsored by ASM Financial Planning and Cheung's Hot Food Takeaway, Downpatrick.
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Latest News
Quarter Finals Medallion Shield: Down High 7 - 17 Limavady Grammar
The Down High Squad had to travel to Limavady for their Quarter Final tie minus a few of their big hitters! The boys fought valiantly throughout the game but came off second best after the home team score two converted tries and a penalty in the first half. Down did manage one well scored try through Rory Kerr which Ricky Gill was able to convert.
The school are very proud of the boys both for their efforts in this game and for getting this far in the competition!
The school are very proud of the boys both for their efforts in this game and for getting this far in the competition!
Down High progress to 4th Round of Medallion Shield
Northern Bank Medallion Shield Round 3
Down High 30 - 10 R.S. Dungannon
After a lack lustre performance and a draw in Dungannon last week, the Down High boys knew they'd need to raise their game in this 3rd Round replay. They didn’t disappoint! With the support of a large and vocal Down High crowd, the boys powered their way over the gain line time and time again in attack, they tackled with great physicality in defence and also made smart decisions when they had the ball in the backs! In contrast to last week’s game the result was beyond doubt early in the second half!
First half tries came from Ricky Gill and William Findlay with Gill converting both and also adding a penalty. In the second half Rory Martin touched down with Gill converting and adding two more penalties. Dungannon managed one penalty in the first half and consolatory try a few minutes before the end of the game.
All in all this was a great team performance and gave a taste of the type of rugby this team is capable of playing. Next week the boys entertain B.R.A. at home in the 4th Round (Kick off 10.30). This is a massive game and a big Down High support is requested to help the boys raise their game to another level!
Down High 30 - 10 R.S. Dungannon
After a lack lustre performance and a draw in Dungannon last week, the Down High boys knew they'd need to raise their game in this 3rd Round replay. They didn’t disappoint! With the support of a large and vocal Down High crowd, the boys powered their way over the gain line time and time again in attack, they tackled with great physicality in defence and also made smart decisions when they had the ball in the backs! In contrast to last week’s game the result was beyond doubt early in the second half!
First half tries came from Ricky Gill and William Findlay with Gill converting both and also adding a penalty. In the second half Rory Martin touched down with Gill converting and adding two more penalties. Dungannon managed one penalty in the first half and consolatory try a few minutes before the end of the game.
All in all this was a great team performance and gave a taste of the type of rugby this team is capable of playing. Next week the boys entertain B.R.A. at home in the 4th Round (Kick off 10.30). This is a massive game and a big Down High support is requested to help the boys raise their game to another level!
Down High Medallion 19-10 Dromore
The boys ground out a well earned victory against Dromore at home on Monday. It took them some time to get going and as had been the case in their previous fixture against Dromore the boys found themselves conceding the first score and having to work their way back into the game. The backs performed particuarly well in this fixture and were influential in all three scores which came from Paddy Wright (2) and Ryan Smyth. Ricky Gill added two conversions.
Valuable lessons were learnt through this game and the boys know what areas they need to develop in order to be sucessful in their Medallion Shield fixture against Royal School Dungannon this weekend.
Valuable lessons were learnt through this game and the boys know what areas they need to develop in order to be sucessful in their Medallion Shield fixture against Royal School Dungannon this weekend.
Medallion Shield Draw vs Royal School Dungannon
The 3rd round draw for the Medallion Shield has been made and Down High recieved an away fixture against Royal School Dungannon. The match is to be played on Saturday 29th January with a 10.30KO.
Down High Medallion 24-7 Belfast High School
After a break of almost 7 weeks from competitive games, the Medallion boys complete with their new shirts, stepped out onto the fields at the Swamp hungry for action against a Belfast High School team who had defeated them the previous season . In contrast to a few of their previous competitive fixtures in November the boys, who played the first half into the wind, started the game with fantastic energy and remarkable ball control. In all departments they gave the visitors a hard time. Their unrelenting pressure led to first half tries from Rory Kerr, Ricky Gill, Rory Martin and Ryan Smyth with Gill converting two of them.
Being 24-7 up at half time the boys were intent on using the second half to finish what they'd started but sadly only two minutes into the half, Down back row player Callum McVeigh sustained a neck injury and had to be taken to hospital for a precuationary check. With play being stopped for over 20 minutes as a result of this injury both coaches agreed that in the interests of the other players who had cooled down significantly , the game should be abandoned. This was a slightly disappointing decision for the Down High players who were looking forward to a half with the wind on their backs and a chance to fine tune a few areas of their game. Nonetheless they left the pitch very pleased with their team performance and glad to have got back to winning ways.
The squad now await their draw for the Medallion Shield Round 3. That match will take place on Saturday 29th January. A draw at the Swamp would be nice!
Being 24-7 up at half time the boys were intent on using the second half to finish what they'd started but sadly only two minutes into the half, Down back row player Callum McVeigh sustained a neck injury and had to be taken to hospital for a precuationary check. With play being stopped for over 20 minutes as a result of this injury both coaches agreed that in the interests of the other players who had cooled down significantly , the game should be abandoned. This was a slightly disappointing decision for the Down High players who were looking forward to a half with the wind on their backs and a chance to fine tune a few areas of their game. Nonetheless they left the pitch very pleased with their team performance and glad to have got back to winning ways.
The squad now await their draw for the Medallion Shield Round 3. That match will take place on Saturday 29th January. A draw at the Swamp would be nice!
New Medallion Shirts Arrived
The Down High Medallion Rugby Team have just taken delivery of their new playing shirts. The shirts were sponsored by ASM Financial Planning and Cheung's Hot Food Takeaway. Included in the photograph are Hadyn Gibson of ASM Financial Planning, Mr Knox (Team Coach), Ricky Gill and Darren Cheung (Captain). Photo Courtesy of Chris Halpin/Mourne Observer.
Down High Medallion 5 - 10 Regent Medallion
An understrength medallion team travelled away to Regent on Saturday for their first defeat of the season. A lack of physicality up front and some soft defensive play in the backs ultimately cost the boys the game. Despite the loss there were some very good individual performances and the lineout functioned as well as it has this season. Hopefully the loss will grow the lads resolve to build on the positive aspects of performance and focus on the areas that have been shown to require development.
Down High Medallion 26 - 7 Wellington Medallion
It took another strong second half performance for the boys to claim victory in this challenging fixture . A physical Wellington pack, a lack of Down High fight at the breakdown and one too many balls kicked away meant that the boys played a considerable portion of the first half without the ball. Wellington did get the first points on the scoreboard with a converted try but a Paddy McMeekin try in the corner did keep Down High in touch going into half time (7-5).
In the second half, the boys secured more ball at the breakdown, kept more ball in hand and took most of the scoring opportunities that came their way. Niall Gregg was able to convert three of Roger Birt's tries in the half leaving Down High worthy of the win.
The challenge now is for the boys to start games with the intensity and skill level they are capable of rather than waiting for their opponents to set the tone of the game.
In the second half, the boys secured more ball at the breakdown, kept more ball in hand and took most of the scoring opportunities that came their way. Niall Gregg was able to convert three of Roger Birt's tries in the half leaving Down High worthy of the win.
The challenge now is for the boys to start games with the intensity and skill level they are capable of rather than waiting for their opponents to set the tone of the game.
