Down High fight in vain to unseat superb Methody

Down High fight in vain to unseat superb Methody

14 March 2013

DOWN High’s courageous warriors held their heads high, despite falling to a heavy defeat against mighty Methody in the Medallion Plate final at Wallace High School in Lisburn on Tuesday afternoon.

Down High were always going to be up against it, but they gave their all and showed great promise in getting this far in the competition.

Methody, a much bigger set of players, used an expansive running game from the outset and hit Down High with wave after wave of attacks. The Downpatrick school defended resolutely, but were powerless to prevent Methody running in for their first try in the opening stages, the conversion was missed.

Down had a good chance to get their retaliation in, but they misses a kickable penalty as the pressure started to tell.

The vociferous Down High support urged their heroes on to greater things and Wallace High erupted when the prolific Charlie Power lofted over a well taken penalty to leave his side trailing 5-3.

Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Down High as a blistering set of Methody backs continually scythed through the game line and they ran in three more tries to take a 20-3 lead at the break.

John Hyndman and Alex and William Martin galvanised the troops during the interval and their inspirational play keep Down High’s hopes alive with some aggressive rugby, but Methody were simply lying in wait.

The Belfast giants resumed their running plans and tore the Down High rearguard apart with some intelligent wing play.

The Downpatrick lads were unable to halt the almost continuous flow of Methody’s backs and the tries rained in as the game progressed.

Down High may well have been beaten, but they were unbowed and must take great encouragement from reaching the final against all the odds.

This is the last game this squad play together as it is on to senior schools’’ rugby next season, but coaches Maurice Irvine and Darren Carson have done a fantastic job with this panel of players and the future looks bright for the game of rugby at Down High.

Final score: Methodist College 60 Down High School 3