Down High out of luck in decider

Down High out of luck in decider

6 March 2019

DOWN High were desperately out of luck at Royal School, Dungannon, on Saturday morning when they lost out in the Danske Bank Medallion Bowl final

Down High started the stronger of the two sides and within 10 minutes had a successful Joseph Dooley penalty under their belts. 

This came after Omagh strayed offside, attempting to contain sustained Down High pressure. However, as the first half progressed the balance of play swung in favour of the Tyrone team who managed a two unconverted tries before the interval. 

Both of these tries came from consistent pressure in the close quarters from the powerful Omagh pack. Omagh went into half-time with a 10-3 lead. 

Down were first to score in the second half when Dooley added another penalty to his tally, bringing the margin down to four points. 

However, again, momentum turned and off the back of well executed blindside attack, Omagh extended their lead to 17-6 with a converted try. 

To their credit, the young Down High squad didn’t in any sense give up. With 20 minutes left in the tie and after some superb continuity work by the Down pack, David Corrie supplied Rory Wilson with a perfectly directed pass that saw the winger dive over in the corner for five points. 

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Down hunted the converted try that would give them the victory, but despite plenty of play deep in Omagh territory and a number of promising attacks, they were unable to deliver the critical blow required before the referee sounded the full time whistle to this tight encounter. 

Other results: U-13A lost 17-0 to RS Dungannon, U-13B defeated Wellington 44-14, U-12 defeated RS Dungannon 2-1 and Omagh Academy 4-1. 

Down High 11

Omagh Academy 17

DANSKE BANK MEDALLION BOWL