Down High's North American tour kicked off with a fine win for the 2nd XV versus national champions Washington Loggers U17. Both teams took time to settle with some big its going in early on. There were a number of early mistakes too.
The first real chance came when a mistake by a Loggers defender gave Down a 5 metre scrum. A number of pick and drives finished when the ball was dropped over the line. However Loggers infringed as they tried to clear and but John Hyndman missed with kick at goal. Down continued to dominate territory and Hyndman was this time successful with a penalty from 25 yards. A scrappy ten minutes followed and then Loggers eventually found their feet. Credit to Down's great defence after a number of phases. Another attack saw Loggers score but disallowed for forward pass. Down should have got the first try of the game when blanket defence saw Hyndman hack through. However he was unable to pickup the ball cleanly and knocked on with the line at his mercy. However the boys in green were not to be denied when a training ground move saw Sam Leckey go in at the corner. The conversion was missed. Unfortunately for Down they could not see out the half and they conceded a try with last play of the game to leave the score 8-5.
The second half started with Down on the front foot and they scored two great tries. The first came from a great steal by Elliott Evans at the lineout and a great line run by Hyndman who off loaded to Jamie Gibson. Hyndman converted. The Loggers restart didn't go ten and Down were once again on the attack. Lovely movement through hands and Gibson again scored in the corner. Hyndman missed the conversion. This eemed to knock the stuffing out of Loggers as Down continued to press in their half. However the Loggers got good fortune when a chip forward bounced favourably for the home sides number 9 to go under the posts for a converted try. Down came back at it but some massive hits repelled some carries from Clements and Chambers. Credit to Loggers who not for first time turned defence into attack and looked certain to score from a 5 metre lineout before the centre knocked on. This was the last moment of danger for Down and they saw out the remainder to finish victorious.
The first real chance came when a mistake by a Loggers defender gave Down a 5 metre scrum. A number of pick and drives finished when the ball was dropped over the line. However Loggers infringed as they tried to clear and but John Hyndman missed with kick at goal. Down continued to dominate territory and Hyndman was this time successful with a penalty from 25 yards. A scrappy ten minutes followed and then Loggers eventually found their feet. Credit to Down's great defence after a number of phases. Another attack saw Loggers score but disallowed for forward pass. Down should have got the first try of the game when blanket defence saw Hyndman hack through. However he was unable to pickup the ball cleanly and knocked on with the line at his mercy. However the boys in green were not to be denied when a training ground move saw Sam Leckey go in at the corner. The conversion was missed. Unfortunately for Down they could not see out the half and they conceded a try with last play of the game to leave the score 8-5.
The second half started with Down on the front foot and they scored two great tries. The first came from a great steal by Elliott Evans at the lineout and a great line run by Hyndman who off loaded to Jamie Gibson. Hyndman converted. The Loggers restart didn't go ten and Down were once again on the attack. Lovely movement through hands and Gibson again scored in the corner. Hyndman missed the conversion. This eemed to knock the stuffing out of Loggers as Down continued to press in their half. However the Loggers got good fortune when a chip forward bounced favourably for the home sides number 9 to go under the posts for a converted try. Down came back at it but some massive hits repelled some carries from Clements and Chambers. Credit to Loggers who not for first time turned defence into attack and looked certain to score from a 5 metre lineout before the centre knocked on. This was the last moment of danger for Down and they saw out the remainder to finish victorious.
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