Down High Under 17 Select 20-0 Crimson Tide Under 18

A pre game arrangement meant that this fixture would be two 20 minute halves but it didn't stop the tourists recording a fine 20-0 victory. Nathan Gibson, playing in the unusual positition of centre bulldozed his way through the Tide defence. Ross Carlisle missed with the extras. Soon after, Carlisle threw a lovely dummy but was held up just short of the line. Tide had no answer for the physicality and skill levels of the boys in green but credit to them for repelling attacks and line breaks for the rest of the half. Ricky Gill did manage to knock over a drop goal with the last play of the first half to leave the halftime score 8-0.

At the start of the second half, Mark Hanna collected the restart and showed great speed and strength to put in a lung busting 50 yard break down the line only to be stopped by the covering Tide defender. It was only a matter of time until Down scored again and as a result of two excellent carries from Chris Gibson and Nathan Gibson, Tide gave away a penalty and quick thinking by Ricky Gill gave him a try under the posts which Carlisle converted. The scoring was rounded off when John Hyndman went over in the corner to seal a 20-0 victory.