2015 off to a Winning Start

Down High 18 - 8 Bangor Grammar

Down High got 2015 off to a winning start in Downpatrick on Saturday morning in a scrappy fixture against Bangor Grammar.

The home side opened the scoring 8 minutes into the game when Jo Bingham converted a penalty after the Bangor backline had been deemed offside following a Down High lineout.

Bangor replied a few moments later when at the other end of the field Down High were penalised for going off their feet in a ruck and the Bangor kicker slotted the penalty for his side.

On the 15 minute mark Down High extended their lead when the dominant Down High pack won a scrum against the head. Zac Ward picked up from the base, beat a couple of defenders and offloaded to scrum half, Thomas Forson, who was able to run in for the score. Bingham had no problem in adding the extras.  

In what was becoming tit for tat, Bangor then added a try of their own, with their back line identifying a gap in the Down High defence and exploiting it well. The conversion was narrowly missed.

Down High did manage to add three further points before half time through Bingham's trusty boot after Bangor had been officiated offside again. Down High lead 13-8 going into the interval.

The second half was error strewn for both teams. Both sides defended with some success but possession was traded regularly as handling skills looked rusty after the christmas break. Despite this Down High were able to become increasingly dominant at set piece and were also able to manage territory in such a manner that their try line was never really under threat.

The half remained scoreless until the last play of the game when the ball shot out of a Bangor scrum on the visitors 22 metre line. Down High back row player Elliot Evans then did a fantastic job to tidy up the loose ball and carry it before offloading to Forson who again had the easy job of diving over the line. Bingham's difficult conversion attempt was unsuccessful leaving the final result at 18-8 to the home side.

Despite a well below par performance, Down High were very glad to record a result, especially given the extended break they were returning from. It was also great to see year 13 student William Martin return to the squad following a long lay off due to injury. Next saturday the side travel to Belfast High School when they will also hear their draw for the Schools Cup.