RBAI U13s 35 Down High U13s 14

Down High Under 13s made the journey to Belfast on Saturday morning knowing they faced their toughest test of the season. The match was played in perfect conditions and from the start Belfast Inst played with a level of intensity that the Down boys had not faced this season. The Belfast schools early dominance was rewarded with a try in the corner by their winger and after this the Down side suffered another blow when hooker Rory Horder had to leave the action injured.

However this Down High team has great character and for the next 15 mins they played probably their best rugby of the season. Excellent work by Marcus Graham led to a few phases of play towards the Belfast Inst line. Eventually Down were awarded a penalty 5 metres from the line and quick thinking by Paddy Browne led to second row and man of the match Lewis Canning scoring a try which Browne converted. Not long after, superb work from the forwards allowed Down to move the ball wide to winger Angus Ferris who showed his opposite number a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. Browne converted to give Down a 14-7 lead coming up to halftime. Unfortunately a number of offside infringements saw Belfast Inst able to get territorial advantage and they managed to score a converted try with the last play of the half to level the scores.

The second half began with the Down boys in control of possession but some elementary mistakes led to Belfast Inst turning over the ball and driving their way towards the Down line. Sterling defence saw the Belfast Inst team pushed into touch but they managed to steal the resulting line out and score a try to put them in the lead. Down never recovered from this and although they had a number of promising passages of play in the 2nd half they continued to make basic errors and gave away a number of soft penalties. This allowed Belfast Inst to score two further tries to seal a 35-14 victory.

The Down team can take a number of positives from this performance and know that they can compete with one of the strongest rugby schools.

Down High U13s 54 Clounagh U13s 0

The Down boys were confident of winning this week based on their results this season so far and where better to extend their winning streak than on home turf.

The boys kicked off the match with a very early try from Zac Ward, his run got the team started and before long both Angus Ferris and Clayton Milligan had added their names to the scorecard. Paddy Brown converted each of these outstanding tries with his kicking talent. Before half time Angus scored another try, this time Paddy didn’t quite get the conversion.

The Down High side made a few changes at half time and before long a combination of great handling and pure speed from winger Adam Brown led to another terrific try under the posts, Paddy impressed the crowd with another successful kick.

Ten minutes into the second half Down High made several further changes, including bringing back on their winger Angus Ferris to play number 8. Angus Ferris soon turned into Stephen Ferris scoring another try using his strength to break a through a tackle. That made it his hat-trick. Down High continued their attacking style and were rewarded with a fine try from William Annett.

Clounagh did have their moments when their number 8 made a break and was metres away from the Down High try line but was stopped in his tracks by a crunching tackle from an opposing forward.

Down High got on the ball again and got to the opposition’s five metre line. From there they went through a number of phases before Thomas McGarry used his incredible strength to power over the line.

The man of the match was deservedly Paddy Brown who was in great kicking form and controlled the game from his out-half position, well done Paddy! 

Report by: Jonny McCoubrey   

Royal School Armagh 5 - Down High School U13s 31

On a damp Saturday morning the Down High boys made the trip down to the Royal School.  The Down High team were a bit nervous about the game, but an early try from Zac Ward settled the nerves and put Down High in the driving seat.  A second try from Zac followed by tries by Clayton Milligan and William Annett gave the Down High boys a convincing lead at half time.

Mr. Irvine gave the Down High boys a good team talk at half time and made a few substitutions to give everyone a chance in the game.

Armagh’s early try in the second half gave Down High a scare, but again the Down High defence stayed strong.  Armagh however continued to attack our 5 metre line, but the Down High forwards were able to ruck over and secure the ball.  A final try by Paddy Browne for Down High sealed the win.

It was a well fought game with good performances on the Armagh side by ex-Hinch old boy Stephano Rea and Newcastle lad Peter Wilson. The Down High forwards again played a great game, with the man of the match Rory Horder getting over every ruck and not missing a tackle.

Both teams gave away too many penalties and no doubt both coaches will have something to say at our next trainings sessions.

Also good Down High performances from Matthew Dougherty making some crunching tackles, Matthew Porter making some brilliant carries, and Paddy Browne against his parent’s old school.

Man of the Match: Rory Horder

Report by Marcus Graham