Down High School 36-34 Belfast High School
On the back of a very good win against Banbridge, Down High were in high spirits for the game against Belfast High.
In the early exchanges, the light wind was exploited by Down High, pinning Belfast back in their own 22”. When BHS secured ball in the 22”, their centre tried to kick clear but blind-side flanker Chris Beattie charged him down and was able to touch down for the first score, Power bisected the uprights to give Down a 7-0 lead.
The visitors bounced straight back with a try of their own after a rolling maul to leave the score at 7-5. Down High were tied down in their own half, but good work by Paul Forbes at the break-down won possession. A try was on the cards with a 4 on 2 but Rowan McWilliams threw an intercept and Belfast scored between the posts, 7-12.
BHS kept piling on the pressure but a clumsy knock on gave Down High a scrum in their own half. A well rehearsed backs move allowed Sam Leckey to burst clear for a brilliant try between the posts.
Down High stuck at their task and Leckey crossed the whitewash for a second time after some good link up play with Andrew Frazer and Peter Davidson, Power converted. The home side were now brimming with confidence and that showed in some of the plays. The forwards were presenting quick ball for Frazer who released his backs who showed speed and strength to gain yards.
Just before the end of the half, Down High were camped on the opposition try line and second row Michael Reynolds barged his way over for Down High’s fourth try, Power duly added the extras.
Skipper William Martin then left play and handed over to out-half Power to lead the side. The second half got off to a bad start after Down got turned over and BHS spread the ball for their winger to touch down in the corner. Belfast were beginning to play good rugby now, and got their fourth try after the out-side centre spotted a dog-leg in the defence before bursting through under the sticks, 28-24.
The Belfast pack were now beginning to dominate the game but handling errors in the backs let them down. After a Down High scrum on half way Power chipped the ball over the defence for a line out. Chris Beattie intercepted a pass from the scrum half and scored in the corner, 33-24.
Belfast scored another quick try after soft tackling in the backs. This put Down on edge and resulted in another score for Belfast, they were now leading 33-34. However, great aggression from McBride, Frazer, Peter Morrison and Alex Martin gave Down High a scrum and after an eight pick from Michael Reynolds, BHS were adjudged to be off their feet and Down High immediately opted for the posts, Power then slotted a crucial kick. The clock ran down and after some solid play by Forbes, Morrison and Ellison, scrum-half Frazer lashed the ball out of play for another good win for the Mount Crescent men.
By Charlie Power
On the back of a very good win against Banbridge, Down High were in high spirits for the game against Belfast High.
In the early exchanges, the light wind was exploited by Down High, pinning Belfast back in their own 22”. When BHS secured ball in the 22”, their centre tried to kick clear but blind-side flanker Chris Beattie charged him down and was able to touch down for the first score, Power bisected the uprights to give Down a 7-0 lead.
The visitors bounced straight back with a try of their own after a rolling maul to leave the score at 7-5. Down High were tied down in their own half, but good work by Paul Forbes at the break-down won possession. A try was on the cards with a 4 on 2 but Rowan McWilliams threw an intercept and Belfast scored between the posts, 7-12.
BHS kept piling on the pressure but a clumsy knock on gave Down High a scrum in their own half. A well rehearsed backs move allowed Sam Leckey to burst clear for a brilliant try between the posts.
Down High stuck at their task and Leckey crossed the whitewash for a second time after some good link up play with Andrew Frazer and Peter Davidson, Power converted. The home side were now brimming with confidence and that showed in some of the plays. The forwards were presenting quick ball for Frazer who released his backs who showed speed and strength to gain yards.
Just before the end of the half, Down High were camped on the opposition try line and second row Michael Reynolds barged his way over for Down High’s fourth try, Power duly added the extras.
Skipper William Martin then left play and handed over to out-half Power to lead the side. The second half got off to a bad start after Down got turned over and BHS spread the ball for their winger to touch down in the corner. Belfast were beginning to play good rugby now, and got their fourth try after the out-side centre spotted a dog-leg in the defence before bursting through under the sticks, 28-24.
The Belfast pack were now beginning to dominate the game but handling errors in the backs let them down. After a Down High scrum on half way Power chipped the ball over the defence for a line out. Chris Beattie intercepted a pass from the scrum half and scored in the corner, 33-24.
Belfast scored another quick try after soft tackling in the backs. This put Down on edge and resulted in another score for Belfast, they were now leading 33-34. However, great aggression from McBride, Frazer, Peter Morrison and Alex Martin gave Down High a scrum and after an eight pick from Michael Reynolds, BHS were adjudged to be off their feet and Down High immediately opted for the posts, Power then slotted a crucial kick. The clock ran down and after some solid play by Forbes, Morrison and Ellison, scrum-half Frazer lashed the ball out of play for another good win for the Mount Crescent men.
By Charlie Power
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