Down High U13 15 Campbell College U13 21
With Down High School’s Under 13 team producing a number of fine performances this season, they knew the challenge of Campbell College would provide a good benchmark to their ability to compete with the best schools in rugby.
Down knew this would be a physical battle and from the start each and every player stood up to their responsibility and Campbell knew they were in for a tough game with some excellent hits being made by Lewis Canning and Clayton Milligan. The Down pack produced a level of intensity rarely shown this year and through some excellent work made their way into the opposition 22 and after a number of near misses, flanker Zac Ward scored an unconverted try in the corner to give the Mount Crescent boys the lead. As was expected this spurred the Belfast school into action and they scored a try of their own with a well controlled driving maul and along with the conversion Campbell now led by two points. As the half came to a close, Campbell infringed at the ruck to give Down’s out half Paddy Browne a simple penalty chance which he duly converted to see the boys in green lead 8-7 at half time.
The second half started with Campbell on the front foot. They had raised their intensity and produced a period of pressure deep inside the Down half. However the home defence stood up to anything that was thrown at them and in the process of turning over possession, a quick thinking Campbell back row player charged down a clearing kick to once again give the visiting team the lead. There was still time for Down High to come back and they certainly did just that. Once again it was Zac Ward who rounded off a series of phases with another try in the corner. This time Browne converted and the home side were 15-14 up and sensing a famous victory. Unfortunately Down could not gather the restart and no sooner had they gone in front than they were once again behind as Campbell punished the mistake with a final converted try. There was still a short time for the Down boys to reply but resolute defending meant that Campbell returned to the city with a victory.
The reaction of the Campbell team at the end reflected the fact that they knew they were in a tough game and on another day would not have won. Credit should go to them for capitalising on Down’s mistakes and scoring points at vital times. The home side can take comfort from the fact that they can compete with another top school in Ulster Rugby and if they can minimise their errors they can turn these close defeats into victories.
Man of the Match: Zac Ward
With Down High School’s Under 13 team producing a number of fine performances this season, they knew the challenge of Campbell College would provide a good benchmark to their ability to compete with the best schools in rugby.
Down knew this would be a physical battle and from the start each and every player stood up to their responsibility and Campbell knew they were in for a tough game with some excellent hits being made by Lewis Canning and Clayton Milligan. The Down pack produced a level of intensity rarely shown this year and through some excellent work made their way into the opposition 22 and after a number of near misses, flanker Zac Ward scored an unconverted try in the corner to give the Mount Crescent boys the lead. As was expected this spurred the Belfast school into action and they scored a try of their own with a well controlled driving maul and along with the conversion Campbell now led by two points. As the half came to a close, Campbell infringed at the ruck to give Down’s out half Paddy Browne a simple penalty chance which he duly converted to see the boys in green lead 8-7 at half time.
The second half started with Campbell on the front foot. They had raised their intensity and produced a period of pressure deep inside the Down half. However the home defence stood up to anything that was thrown at them and in the process of turning over possession, a quick thinking Campbell back row player charged down a clearing kick to once again give the visiting team the lead. There was still time for Down High to come back and they certainly did just that. Once again it was Zac Ward who rounded off a series of phases with another try in the corner. This time Browne converted and the home side were 15-14 up and sensing a famous victory. Unfortunately Down could not gather the restart and no sooner had they gone in front than they were once again behind as Campbell punished the mistake with a final converted try. There was still a short time for the Down boys to reply but resolute defending meant that Campbell returned to the city with a victory.
The reaction of the Campbell team at the end reflected the fact that they knew they were in a tough game and on another day would not have won. Credit should go to them for capitalising on Down’s mistakes and scoring points at vital times. The home side can take comfort from the fact that they can compete with another top school in Ulster Rugby and if they can minimise their errors they can turn these close defeats into victories.
Man of the Match: Zac Ward
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