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
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