The final leg of our journey home was delayed by over two hours but this didn't deter the boys from entertaining the passengers at the gate with some music. As this was an overnight flight a number of the group slept most of the journey. The attached photo just about shows the west coast of Ireland from the air. At approximately 11am the flight touched down and the tour was finished.

14 days, five flights, two sailings, four cities, seven rugby matches, numerous tourist activities and memories that will last a lifetime.

On behalf of the staff who toured can we say a heartfelt thanks to Mr Knox who put together so much of the tour. Can we also thank the parents and friends of the tourists who for over two years supported this venture. Finally we would like to thank the boys who at all times put their heart and soul into all aspects of the tour. They are a credit to their families and were superb ambassadors for Down High School.

A commemorative DVD and photo book are being planned so the boys can have a memory of the trip. Details to follow.

Finally I hope you have enjoyed the blog. Have a lovely summer.

This is the day we say goodbye to the US after a memorable tour. Not too much to talk about today as most of it was spent travelling. Although last minute gifts were purchased at the North Central College university before leaving.

The flight from Chicago to Newark was delayed slightly but at least there was in flight entertainment for this internal flight.

As I type it is 10pm local time and we should be in the air but the flight has been delayed until 11pm local time so if there are no more delays we should be in Belfast at approximately 1030am Belfast time.

Tomorrow is officially the last day of the tour so there will be one final blog tomorrow.

Chicago skyline on flight to Newark.

Our final full day in Naperville saw our final set of fixtures at Blaze rugby club with the 2nd XV playing Noble High School which is coached by ex Ballynahinch player Ryan McBride and the 1st XV playing the state side Illinois Tornados. It was great to have the Hyndman and Martin family join us to support their sons and the team. Also Sam Seymour who toured six years ago came along to support. Two excellent victories were recorded. Reports and photos appear on this site. Once again we are indebted to our hosts who made us feel very welcome. Many thanks.

It was also the last game of rugby that a number of boys will play for Down High School and we wish the following all the success in their future rugby career- captain Darren Cheung, Thomas Donnan, Thomas Johnston, Chris Gibson, Niall Gregg, John Gabbie, Paddy Wright, Ryan Smyth, Adam Cherry, James Martin, Roger Birt, Iain McCormick, Andrew Calderwood, Peter Calvert, Ricky Gill and TJ McCavera.

The real spirit of tour was shown after the game when the players from all sides mixed together and sung together. Many tourists also exchanged shirts and memories were made to last a lifetime.

A tired group returned to Naperville and we gathered for the traditional tour awards which included the following.

Bromance Rory Kerr and Paddy Wright

Compass award John Hyndman

Strongman award Roger Birt

Soap award Thomas Johnston

Music award Thomas Donnan, TJ McCavera, Niall Gregg

Special music award Ewan Martin

Disco Dancing award Rowan McWilliams, Duncan Ross and Harry McCormick

Question mark award James Martin Snr

Hardman award Darren Cheung, Mark Hanna and Aaron Chambers

Overall tour awards

1st XV forward Thomas Johnston

1st XV back Ricky Gill

1st XV overall Chris Gibson

2nd XV forward Harry McCormick

2nd XV back Niall Gregg

2nd XV overall Elliott Evans

Tomorrow sees us start our journey home and we are due to arrive at Belfast International airport on Tuesday morning at 0900 GMT.

Tour awards

The start of the match saw both teams sussing each other out and both teams making good line breaks but the final pass just didn't go to hand. Down eventually got a foothold on the game and a rolling maul and fine back move almost opened the scoring. It was a set piece move which did give Down the advantage when Roger Birt finished off a flowing back line move. The conversion was missed. Down then settled in to some excellent rugby and a great steal by Mark Hanna in the lineout allowed fly half Ross Carlisle to throw a nice dummy to score an unconverted try. The Tornados were now making mistakes but Down couldn't capitalise. Down had to be patient against a well drilled home defence but couldn't breakthrough again so at half time the scoreline was 10-0 in favour of the Mount Crescent boys.



A great kick chase from the restart saw the Tornados penalised for holding on and a great line ran by Ricky Gill gave Down a great start to the second half. Paddy Wright converted. Down really had their tails up now and lovely handling allowed captain Darren Cheung to give an inside pass to makeshift flanker Chris Gibson who ran over two opposition players to score. Wright again converted. Next came the try of the match as Down moved the play from one side of the pitch to the other, sucking in the Tornados defence and giving Ryan Smyth an unopposed run for an unconverted try. The hard work by this stage had been done and it was a chance for a number of the Upper 6th leavers to get a final taste of rugby at school. Down finished victorious with a scoreline 29-0.

Due to the excessive heat and humidity it was agreed to play four sessions of 15/20 minutes so to allow for sufficient water breaks and Down High 2nd XV emerged with a fine victory.

An unbelievable start to the match with what could be the fastest ever try scored by a Down team. Jamie Gibson collected Niall Gregg's kick and sped down the wing to score an unconverted try. Noble came back into the game but it was Down who scored next with Chris Heenan taking advantage of a quick penalty to score under the posts. John Hyndman converted to make it 12-0 to the visitors. Noble showed some good signs but unfortunately knocked on at vital times. Down finished the first period with two excellent converted tries of differing quality. First a passage of play starting deep in their own 22 saw most of the team handle the ball and Niall Gregg finished off the move and straight from the kick off Elliott Evans managed to evade a number of tackles to see Down lead 26-0.

Down conceded a penalty straight from the kick off and a series of pick and drives gave Noble a fine score in the corner to reduce the arrears. It wasn't long until Down were back on the front foot and a nice break by Ewan Martin allowed Callum Duncan to cross for a try which Gregg converted. A quiet period of play followed with both teams cancelling each other out but Down had the final say in the period when a quick penalty gave scrum half Thomas Forson his first try of the tour. Conversion was missed to give Down a 38-5 lead.

Down started the third period on the front foot and should have gone further ahead but a last gasp tackle prevented Ewan Martin from scoring. Having played the whole of the period in the Noble half it wasn't until the last play of the period that Chris Beattie bundled over for a converted try. This took the score to 45-5.

Noble started the final period on the attack but once again Down's defence repelled the attack and they found themselves in the Noble 22 quickly. Fine opportunism by scrum half Forson gave him his second try which Hyndman once again converted. The last passage of play almost saw a great try from Chris Heenan who chipped ahead from his own half but just couldn't collect his kick but soon after prop Stuart Cochrane completed the scoring with a converted try to leave the final score 59-5.

Mr Donnan with his son Thomas after 1st XV victory. It was Thomas' last game for Down High School.