It was a bright and dry morning when Down High U14 travelled to Royal School Armagh for what was going to be a tough test as both teams were so far unbeaten.
Wilson’s kick off was taken well by an RSA second row who Alexander Martin hit hard to set up the first phase. A good ruck from Down resulted in Luke Thompson picking up the ball and charging over the line for an early score, Wilson added the extra points. The restart began with a good Down reception by Callum Dunn who carried the ball well into contact. Dan Browne, scrum half, passed the ball wide resulting in Ronan Patterson carrying well down the line. A bit of ill discipline by RSA allowed Wilson to kick a penalty into the RSA half. The resulting lineout was stolen but Andrew McNeilly charged through on the RSA scrumhalf setting up a ruck which Down turned over. Quick hands from the Down backs saw the ball in Jack Carlisle’s hands who crossed the line in the corner to give Down their second try. Wilson was faced with a difficult kick from the line; it was struck well but unfortunately caught the upright.
From the kick off play passed back and forth between the two teams due to some handling errors. RSA were starting to string a few phases of play together but strong defence from Down and good pressure saw RSA knock the ball on once more. A great scrum from the Down pack allowed Wilson to clear the ball well into the RSA half. The forwards stepped up once more and a great steal from Alexander Martin at the line out set up the backs for the next phase of attacks. Quick ball through the hands of the back line saw Ronan Patterson cross the white wash for Down’s third try. The conversion was missed.
Half time score DHS 17 RSA 0
The second half saw a more determined RSA team take the field. After a few phases of RSA attacks they found themselves on Down High’s five metre line. Excellent defensive work from the forwards in a series of scrums kept the RSA attacks at bay with Andrew McNeilly breaking off the scrum on several occasions to deny their number eight any room to manoeuvre. RSA eventually knocked the ball on from a ruck which allowed Robin Wilson to clear his line relieving the pressure. RSA quickly took the ball but it was turned over by the Down forwards. From the ruck came a good pass from William McNamara to Wilson who broke through RSA’s line with some great footwork. After a few phases of play William Browne found the ball in his hands and ran for the line to give Down there fourth try. Once again Wilson provided the extras.
Down Highs fifth and final try started from a good take by Alexander Martin which allowed Wilson to kick clear. Zac Fisher hunted down the ball applying pressure to the RSA winger who dropped the ball. Fisher pounced on the ball setting up the ruck. Robin again broke through RSA’s line gaining more territory for the Down men but while trying to offload in a tackle the ball was intercepted. A determined Wilson gets up and tackles the ball carrier and turns over the ball. Quick hands see the ball in full back Jack Carlisle’s hands who showed pace and great footwork to beat four RSA defenders to give Down there fifth and final try. Wilson once again puts two more points on the board. Another excellent team performance sees Down High School’s U14s retain their unbeaten record for another week. Man of the match, Jack Carlisle. Final score DHS 31 – RSA 0
Wilson’s kick off was taken well by an RSA second row who Alexander Martin hit hard to set up the first phase. A good ruck from Down resulted in Luke Thompson picking up the ball and charging over the line for an early score, Wilson added the extra points. The restart began with a good Down reception by Callum Dunn who carried the ball well into contact. Dan Browne, scrum half, passed the ball wide resulting in Ronan Patterson carrying well down the line. A bit of ill discipline by RSA allowed Wilson to kick a penalty into the RSA half. The resulting lineout was stolen but Andrew McNeilly charged through on the RSA scrumhalf setting up a ruck which Down turned over. Quick hands from the Down backs saw the ball in Jack Carlisle’s hands who crossed the line in the corner to give Down their second try. Wilson was faced with a difficult kick from the line; it was struck well but unfortunately caught the upright.
From the kick off play passed back and forth between the two teams due to some handling errors. RSA were starting to string a few phases of play together but strong defence from Down and good pressure saw RSA knock the ball on once more. A great scrum from the Down pack allowed Wilson to clear the ball well into the RSA half. The forwards stepped up once more and a great steal from Alexander Martin at the line out set up the backs for the next phase of attacks. Quick ball through the hands of the back line saw Ronan Patterson cross the white wash for Down’s third try. The conversion was missed.
Half time score DHS 17 RSA 0
The second half saw a more determined RSA team take the field. After a few phases of RSA attacks they found themselves on Down High’s five metre line. Excellent defensive work from the forwards in a series of scrums kept the RSA attacks at bay with Andrew McNeilly breaking off the scrum on several occasions to deny their number eight any room to manoeuvre. RSA eventually knocked the ball on from a ruck which allowed Robin Wilson to clear his line relieving the pressure. RSA quickly took the ball but it was turned over by the Down forwards. From the ruck came a good pass from William McNamara to Wilson who broke through RSA’s line with some great footwork. After a few phases of play William Browne found the ball in his hands and ran for the line to give Down there fourth try. Once again Wilson provided the extras.
Down Highs fifth and final try started from a good take by Alexander Martin which allowed Wilson to kick clear. Zac Fisher hunted down the ball applying pressure to the RSA winger who dropped the ball. Fisher pounced on the ball setting up the ruck. Robin again broke through RSA’s line gaining more territory for the Down men but while trying to offload in a tackle the ball was intercepted. A determined Wilson gets up and tackles the ball carrier and turns over the ball. Quick hands see the ball in full back Jack Carlisle’s hands who showed pace and great footwork to beat four RSA defenders to give Down there fifth and final try. Wilson once again puts two more points on the board. Another excellent team performance sees Down High School’s U14s retain their unbeaten record for another week. Man of the match, Jack Carlisle. Final score DHS 31 – RSA 0
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