Down High advance to Subsidiary Shield final

Down High advance to Subsidiary Shield final

1 March 2023

DOWN High’s first XV have been growing in confidence all season but even they would not have predicted the most impressive start they would produce in Saturday’s semi-final fixture in Downpatrick against Belfast Royal Academy – a team regarded by many as the favourites for this occasion. 

Undoubtedly, the 19 unanswered points the home side had secured within 20 minutes were pivotal to the favourable outcome but Josh Pentland’s charges will also take lots of heart from their assured defence which, bar one Academy try, saw them comfortably through to full-time and in doing so, rewarded with a place in the final.  

Out-half, Ben Cassidy was first on the scoreboard within minutes of kick off as he found a hole in the Academy defence before showing great agility to evade their fullback and dot down near the posts for an unconverted try.  

Within minutes, Academy did mount a response and crossed the Down High line, however, referee Richard Kerr adjudged the ball to have been held up and Down were able to clear their lines to the relief of the large home support.

The same crowd, who were being treated to some superlative rugby from the home-side, erupted again moments later, when Rhodri Phillips made amends for his earlier missed conversion, by powering over from short range for a try which he converted himself to give Down High a 12-0 lead. 

The score line only remained here for a matter of minutes as Phillips returned to the cathedral end of the pitch to touch down again, this time having intercepted the ball in the midst of an Academy attack. 

With his conversion following and no further scores from either side before half-time, Down High moved into the interval with a 19-point lead. 

Post half-time, both sides fought hard to control territory with plenty of kicks exchanged. 

Crucially, Down High were able to successfully repel any Academy attacks that did occur, including a number of 22 entries. 

With 15 minutes to go, Academy did manage to record one converted try, however, this would not prove definitive in the final outcome. 

Down also had a chance to extend their lead with a penalty kick but it drifted left of the posts.

The referee’s full-time whistle sent the home team and the large crowd that had gathered into celebration mode knowing they had caused an upset, and in doing so, secured themselves a berth in the final. 

That game will be played at the Queen’s Arena on Wednesday, March 8 against Royal School Armagh (2.30pm K-O).