Down High U14's 6 - 0 RBAI U14's
As former US president Abraham Lincoln once said "All good things come to those who wait", and so it was for the Down High under 14 team, when on a bright Thursday afternoon in Belfast, they defeated the mighty RBAI in a hard fought and tight contest. The Down High boys secured a six points to nil win with all points coming for dependable boot of captain Patrick Browne.
Having lost on the previous two trips to RBAI, the boys in green knew that they have to put in a very special performance and dig deep, if they were going to upset one of the top school teams in Ulster. The challenge was set.
From the outset the Down High pack played as if their lives depended on victory, with every scrum, maul and ruck feeling the full force of the front three of Rickard, Milligan and Harper. The boys gave particular effort to the scrums resulting in a number of turnovers by Down High. The back row boys of Lewis Canning, Matthew Porter and Zac Ward performed superbly and as opposed to leading from the front, these boys led from the back. Solid performances were also put in by the second row boys Yim and Ross.
Two early penalties conceded by RBAI provided Down High with an opportunity to take an early lead, which they held onto for the entire match. Neither kicks were easy, but their conversions were vital in giving the Down High boys the confidence that they could return home with a win.
As ever, the Down High back line of Hitchens, Dougherty, McCoubrey and Graham was resolute in its attack and defence with William Annett coming close to scoring early in the second half, as a result of the delightful quick hands of scrum half Terry Hutley, who took a bloody nose on behalf of the team.
Solid tackling from the Down High backs has become somewhat of a trademark of this team. The defensive performance by the backs in the last ten minutes undoubtedly saved Down High from conceding a late try, which if converted, would have resulted in a completely different outcome. However, when the final whistle blew, the Down High boys, along with coaches and parents, were ecstatic. This team had just secured a memorable victory.
A big thank you from the Down High boys is due to the U14 coaches, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Cairns and Mr. Knox. This win was for you Sirs!
Man of the match: The Down High XV
Match report by Marcus Graham.
As former US president Abraham Lincoln once said "All good things come to those who wait", and so it was for the Down High under 14 team, when on a bright Thursday afternoon in Belfast, they defeated the mighty RBAI in a hard fought and tight contest. The Down High boys secured a six points to nil win with all points coming for dependable boot of captain Patrick Browne.
Having lost on the previous two trips to RBAI, the boys in green knew that they have to put in a very special performance and dig deep, if they were going to upset one of the top school teams in Ulster. The challenge was set.
From the outset the Down High pack played as if their lives depended on victory, with every scrum, maul and ruck feeling the full force of the front three of Rickard, Milligan and Harper. The boys gave particular effort to the scrums resulting in a number of turnovers by Down High. The back row boys of Lewis Canning, Matthew Porter and Zac Ward performed superbly and as opposed to leading from the front, these boys led from the back. Solid performances were also put in by the second row boys Yim and Ross.
Two early penalties conceded by RBAI provided Down High with an opportunity to take an early lead, which they held onto for the entire match. Neither kicks were easy, but their conversions were vital in giving the Down High boys the confidence that they could return home with a win.
As ever, the Down High back line of Hitchens, Dougherty, McCoubrey and Graham was resolute in its attack and defence with William Annett coming close to scoring early in the second half, as a result of the delightful quick hands of scrum half Terry Hutley, who took a bloody nose on behalf of the team.
Solid tackling from the Down High backs has become somewhat of a trademark of this team. The defensive performance by the backs in the last ten minutes undoubtedly saved Down High from conceding a late try, which if converted, would have resulted in a completely different outcome. However, when the final whistle blew, the Down High boys, along with coaches and parents, were ecstatic. This team had just secured a memorable victory.
A big thank you from the Down High boys is due to the U14 coaches, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Cairns and Mr. Knox. This win was for you Sirs!
Man of the match: The Down High XV
Match report by Marcus Graham.
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