Down High School 1st XV got their playing side of the tour off to a perfect start with a hard fought but ultimately deserved 18-14 victory against a physical NorCal Pelicans side. The omens were good for the touring side as they spent the initial part of the match inside the Pelicans’ 22. Captain Claytan Milligan did go under the posts for what looked like a try but the referee had adjudged the final pass had gone forward. Eventually Down did get on the scoreboard courtesy of a Greg Hutley penalty. This spurred the home side into action and with their only foray into Down’s 22 they managed to come away with a converted try. The boy’s in Electric Lime had the last word of a physical first half when Milligan peeled off the back of a rolling maul to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and the scoreline at halftime was 8-7 to the Co Down boys.
The second half began with Down camped in the opposition half but credit to the Pelicans for their outstanding defence. When it looked as if the defensive line would be broken with a three man overlap a opportunistic Pelicans defender intercepted what looked a certain try and ran 95 yards to score a converted try. The status quo continued and the tourists got their reward as Marcus Graham dove in the corner. With the conversion missed the deficit was still one point. With time running out Down squandered a couple of guilt edge chances but a fine lineout steal led to a few phases and Zac Ward stretched to score what turned out to be the winning try. The conversion was missed. Some good defence saw the game safe and relief was the overriding emotion as the final whistle went. Credit to the 1st XV for seeing out the game as this was their first game in nearly four months.
The second half began with Down camped in the opposition half but credit to the Pelicans for their outstanding defence. When it looked as if the defensive line would be broken with a three man overlap a opportunistic Pelicans defender intercepted what looked a certain try and ran 95 yards to score a converted try. The status quo continued and the tourists got their reward as Marcus Graham dove in the corner. With the conversion missed the deficit was still one point. With time running out Down squandered a couple of guilt edge chances but a fine lineout steal led to a few phases and Zac Ward stretched to score what turned out to be the winning try. The conversion was missed. Some good defence saw the game safe and relief was the overriding emotion as the final whistle went. Credit to the 1st XV for seeing out the game as this was their first game in nearly four months.
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