Down High Under 13s 22 Banbridge Academy Under 13s 19

Down High completed an amazing comeback win on Saturday to extend their winning streak to three matches. The home pitches at the Swamp certainly lived up to their name as the game was played in heavy rain. The Down side seemed to be still in the changing rooms as Banbridge ran in three tries (two of which were converted) to go into a 19-0 lead after 15 minutes. Only then did the home side start to play rugby both offensively and defensively. Finally getting some territorial advantage and retaining possession for a number of phases, prop Darius Kittle barged over from close range to give a half time score of 19-5 to the visitors.

The second half was a complete contrast to the first and Banbridge's attempt to move the ball was met with some ferocious tackling and Down were able to turnover possession on a number of occasions. It took almost ten minutes however for the pressure to tell and Matthew Edgar finished a fine series of pick and drives to touchdown on the whitewash to make it 19-10. Straight from the kick off, the home side were back in Banbridge's half with searing line breaks and runs from Joe Charles and Jonny Jackson and the latter was on hand to finish off a fine backline move to score under the posts. Benji Hamilton converted. With only two points in the game the Mount Crescent boys had their tails up and within a couple of minutes scored the winning try. A great run from winger Brian Mitchell saw him give a lovely offload to replacement forward Ross Graham who powered over in the corner. Down were able to hold on for the final two minutes and the final whistle was met with euphoric scenes from the home team. Credit must go to both teams for the standard of rugby played in wet and windy conditions but special mention must go to Down for their never say die attitude.

Man of the Match- Stephen Campbell

Sat 2nd Jan

10.00 KO @ Home

1

James Douglas

2

Niall Cockfield

3

Darius Kittle

4

Conor Findlay

5

Jack Martin

6

Matthew Edgar

7

Stephen Campbell

8

Joe Charles

9

Josh Keys

10

Yanni Kiekkas

11

Thomas Williamson

12

Benji Hamilton

13

Jonathan Jackson

14

Owen Wright

15

John Boyd

16

Thomas Disney

17

Sam Lloyd

18

Nathan McBride

19

Dilon Strain

20

Craig Gunda

21

Lewis Burtney

Down High U13's recorded a fine result today defeating Friends School Lisburn in Downpatrick. Tries came from Joe Charles (3) Jonny Jackson, Darius Kittle and Matthew Edgar while Yanni Kiekkas added one conversion.

Down High Under 13s 26 Clounagh Junior High Under 13s 7

After two defeats, Down High Under 13s came out top in a physical battle against a well marshaled Clounagh Junior High School. From the kick off the home side knew they were in a battle, with the boys from County Armagh showing a level of physicality and aggression not experienced by the Down team before. The Clounagh number 8 in particular was a strong and aggressive runner and the Down boys were lucky to survive when he broke through a couple of tackles and looked certain to score when a fantastic tap tackle by Matthew Edgar stopped him in his tracks. It took about ten minutes for the boys in green to take a foothold in the game and Edgar turned try scorer going over in the corner after fine work by the backs. This gave the Down team some confidence and it wasn't long before they were back in the opposition 22 where Conor Findlay bundled over from a few yards out. Aaron McNeilly converted. The last couple of minutes of the first half saw two further converted tries- hooker Niall Cockfield scoring after a good series of pick and drives and then full back Yanni Kiekkas finished off a fantastic passage of play where the ball was moved through the backline to leave the score 26-0 in favour of the home side.

It was to be expected that the level of intensity would drop in the second half and credit should go to Clounagh for sticking at their task and they eventually scored when their number 8 finally broke through the Down defence to score under the posts with virtually the last play of the game. The next fixture for Down is an away fixture to Dromore on Monday 19th October where they will face another physical challenge.

Man of the match: Matthew Edgar

Grosvenor Grammar School U13s 0 Down High Under 13s 51

Down High Under 13s travelled to Belfast and returned home with a fine victory which shows a remarkable turnaround having lost heavily to the same opposition last year. From the start the Down boys showed tremendous handling skills and the moved the ball seamlessly from their own 22 to the Grosvenor line where flanker Matthew Edgar scored in the corner. Almost immediately from the kick off Down found themselves back on the attack and prop Darius Kittle scored a fine try in the corner. The Down defence was yet to be tested but when it was great rucking by the forwards secured good turnover ball and James Douglas scored two fine tries with Yanni Kiekkas converting the second of these. It was then the turn of makeshift centre Joe Charles to show good power and strength to score a converted try  and the last word of the first half was left to  Kiekkas who ran a great line to exploit a gap in the opposition defence and leave the half time score 39-0 in favour of the County Down boys.

The second half started where the first half left off when skipper Stephen Campbell powered over. When five changes were made to give the subs some game time Down High managed to maintain their shape and centre Charles went over for his second try. As the game entered its final stages the Down boys were determined to keep Grosvenor out and great defence was shown by Stephen Campbell and Owen Wright whenever it looked certain the Belfast team would score. Having cleared their lines, Down made their way into the Grosvenor 22 and Charles completed his hat trick with a converted try with the last play of the game.

Once again it was noticeable how this team has put into practice what they have been working at in training and the boys can approach next weeks game against Sullivan with confidence.

Man of the match: James Douglas