U14 Rugby
Coaches: Mr Simpson, Mr Daniells
Training: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Training: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Junior Tour to Newcastle
On a cold Wednesday morning in mid-March, 44 boys and 4 staff met at Down High School to embark on a 3 day/2 night rugby tour to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. After an uneventful crossing to Stranraer and 4 hour bus journey the touring party finally arrived in the village of Morpeth where the Under 14s were due to play King Edward VI School and the Under 13s had arranged a fixture with Newminster College. The Under 14s managed to win their match comfortably by scoring 9 unanswered tries and Elliott Evans was took the man of the match accolade. The Under 13s match was a closer affair but the Down High boys managed to triumph 44-22 with out half Ewan Keers putting in a man of the match performance.
After a long day, the touring party were glad to finally reach their hotel and enjoy a fantastic evening meal. To cap off the long day, the boys enjoyed a stroll around the magnificent Quayside in Newcastle. The pace of Mr Simpson meant that if anyone wasn’t tired before the walk then they certainly were afterwards!
Day 2 began with a hearty breakfast and a visit to the world famous “Angel of the North”. This was a great opportunity for the boys to hone their photography skills as they tried to find the best location to take a picture which did justice to this feat of engineering. It was then on to St James’ Park- home of Newcastle United Football Club. The boys had a short tour of the ground and they were all impressed by the facilities modern day professionals have at their disposal. The afternoon was spent ten-pin bowling and shopping in the Metro Centre before we made our way to Tynedale Rugby Club for our second set of fixtures. Once again the Under 14s made short work of their opposition, recording an even more emphatic victory than the day before with George Smyth being the star of the show. The Under 13s however were up against a much more disciplined team and although they lost 29-19, the game was in the balance until Tynedale scored with the last play of the game. Special mention must go to Harry McCormick who produced his best game of the season in this match. 44 tired boys returned to the hotel and after a quick visit to local eateries a good nights sleep was had by all.
Day 3 began with a return visit to the Metro Centre for the boys to buy any last minute presents for people back home. The long journey back to Stranraer was made shorter by the numerous episodes of Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers. Fortunately Mr Irvine’s worries of a snow storm stranding us in Scotland didn’t materialise and the coach rolled into Downpatrick on the Friday evening to mark the end of a successful tour.
Credit must go to the boys on how they conducted themselves over the 3 days. The were excellent ambassadors for Down High School.
After a long day, the touring party were glad to finally reach their hotel and enjoy a fantastic evening meal. To cap off the long day, the boys enjoyed a stroll around the magnificent Quayside in Newcastle. The pace of Mr Simpson meant that if anyone wasn’t tired before the walk then they certainly were afterwards!
Day 2 began with a hearty breakfast and a visit to the world famous “Angel of the North”. This was a great opportunity for the boys to hone their photography skills as they tried to find the best location to take a picture which did justice to this feat of engineering. It was then on to St James’ Park- home of Newcastle United Football Club. The boys had a short tour of the ground and they were all impressed by the facilities modern day professionals have at their disposal. The afternoon was spent ten-pin bowling and shopping in the Metro Centre before we made our way to Tynedale Rugby Club for our second set of fixtures. Once again the Under 14s made short work of their opposition, recording an even more emphatic victory than the day before with George Smyth being the star of the show. The Under 13s however were up against a much more disciplined team and although they lost 29-19, the game was in the balance until Tynedale scored with the last play of the game. Special mention must go to Harry McCormick who produced his best game of the season in this match. 44 tired boys returned to the hotel and after a quick visit to local eateries a good nights sleep was had by all.
Day 3 began with a return visit to the Metro Centre for the boys to buy any last minute presents for people back home. The long journey back to Stranraer was made shorter by the numerous episodes of Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers. Fortunately Mr Irvine’s worries of a snow storm stranding us in Scotland didn’t materialise and the coach rolled into Downpatrick on the Friday evening to mark the end of a successful tour.
Credit must go to the boys on how they conducted themselves over the 3 days. The were excellent ambassadors for Down High School.
