Down High U14XV -24 Sullivan Upper U14XV -0
Down High came to Sullivan with a very positive attitude due to their previous victorious match against Sullivan. This allowed Down to play with an intensity and aggression rarely shown with this team. From the kick off into Sullivan's arms, every man stepped up to the mark and played with outstanding pace and skill throughout for Down.
The kick off landed straight into Sullivan's prop's arms, and with great bravery, it was Thomas McGarry to make the opening tackle. For this was the benchmark Down were going to play at for the full 60 minutes. Down had been well drilled with tackling and rucking technique over the 2 previous weeks and this certainly payed off. Sullivan had a far much larger pack than Down, despite the weight disadvantage, Down have a great spirit when playing on the pitch. Every number from 1-8, showed their strength not just in the scrums but out in the line with the backs. From the very first scrum, our pack dominated. Pushing back everything that was thrown at them. Great tackling off the scrum and in the line from Lewis Canning, freed the ball for the backs to play with.
Down's line-out was only the thing that could be questioned in this game and the failure to contest for the ball led to powerful runs from Sullivan's pack and blazing speed from their wingers. Down were certainly not being pushed around in the scrums, but in the line was a different story. Despite big hits from Matthew Dougherty, Paddy Browne and Jonny McCoubrey the backs were needing assistance from the forwards. Great kicking from William Annett and Dougherty allowed the Down boys to push up to the line. Big runs from Sam Rickard got Down to the oppositions line, well finished off by the forwards and the backs. The ball was certainly shared around the team with fast runs from Harry Hitchens and aggressive handoffs from Zac Ward. A strong and tight maul was formed and the strong legs of Matthew Porter and Lewis Canning managed to drive it a good 25 yards. In the end Down High managed to put 24 points over Sullivan, with Sullivan not quite reaching the Down line! Tries from Kaho Yim, Claytan Milligan and William Annett.
Man of the match Lewis Canning.
Down High came to Sullivan with a very positive attitude due to their previous victorious match against Sullivan. This allowed Down to play with an intensity and aggression rarely shown with this team. From the kick off into Sullivan's arms, every man stepped up to the mark and played with outstanding pace and skill throughout for Down.
The kick off landed straight into Sullivan's prop's arms, and with great bravery, it was Thomas McGarry to make the opening tackle. For this was the benchmark Down were going to play at for the full 60 minutes. Down had been well drilled with tackling and rucking technique over the 2 previous weeks and this certainly payed off. Sullivan had a far much larger pack than Down, despite the weight disadvantage, Down have a great spirit when playing on the pitch. Every number from 1-8, showed their strength not just in the scrums but out in the line with the backs. From the very first scrum, our pack dominated. Pushing back everything that was thrown at them. Great tackling off the scrum and in the line from Lewis Canning, freed the ball for the backs to play with.
Down's line-out was only the thing that could be questioned in this game and the failure to contest for the ball led to powerful runs from Sullivan's pack and blazing speed from their wingers. Down were certainly not being pushed around in the scrums, but in the line was a different story. Despite big hits from Matthew Dougherty, Paddy Browne and Jonny McCoubrey the backs were needing assistance from the forwards. Great kicking from William Annett and Dougherty allowed the Down boys to push up to the line. Big runs from Sam Rickard got Down to the oppositions line, well finished off by the forwards and the backs. The ball was certainly shared around the team with fast runs from Harry Hitchens and aggressive handoffs from Zac Ward. A strong and tight maul was formed and the strong legs of Matthew Porter and Lewis Canning managed to drive it a good 25 yards. In the end Down High managed to put 24 points over Sullivan, with Sullivan not quite reaching the Down line! Tries from Kaho Yim, Claytan Milligan and William Annett.
Man of the match Lewis Canning.