Wright responses give Down High super win

Wright responses give Down High super win

29 January 2014

DOWN High produced a mature performance, battling against horrendous weather conditions in Downpatrick on Saturday to beat Lurgan College and progress to the third round of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup.

The home side got off to a shaky start by putting the ball straight out of play from the kick-off.

They defended the following Lurgan attack very successfully with William Martin eventually securing a penalty which allowed Down to clear their lines.

Smart territorial play over the next period saw Lurgan defending their line and after they were deemed to be off side at a ruck, Patrick Wright took no time in getting the Down scoring underway with a straightforward penalty on the five-minute mark.

After 12 minutes Wright extended the Down lead to 6-0 when he kicked into the strong breeze to land another penalty.

After several exchanges of play in the slippery conditions, the Down pack gradually came into the ascendancy with great carries from the likes of Nathan Gibson and Thomas McAvera.

These efforts from the boys up front, plus smart kicking from the Down backs, eventually led to Down securing their first try of the game through winger Ryan Smyth.

The green pack had won a scrum on the Lurgan five-metre line and after a phase of play Smyth found a gap and showed good strength to fend off covering tackles for the score. Wright had no problems with the conversion.

Towards the end of the half the Lurgan out-half produced a daring and successful break from his own 22 which caught the Down defence off-guard, but good scrambling defence from the Down back three eventually snuffed out the threat. Down went into the break 13-0 up.

For virtually the whole second half the two teams found themselves battling the cold as much as each other.

However, within four minutes of the restart Down had extended their lead through prop Thomas Johnston, who barged his way over the line after some tight play by the Down pack.

Wright was unsuccessful with the conversion as the wind blew the ball over on his approach and left him on the receiving end of the Lurgan chase.

On the 50-minute mark, Down’s other prop Nathan Gibson was next on the score sheet when he showed fantastic strength to stay on his feet and shrug off the efforts of the Lurgan midfield after taking a pass from Patrick Wright. Wright added the extras.

The final Down score came with about eight minutes to go. Replacement scrum-half Thomas Forson made a break

before giving the ball to Joseph Bingham, who showed great footwork to evade the Lurgan cover and touch down for an unconverted try.

Down will take much confidence from this performance and result, particularly given the conditions.

They now progress to the third round of the competition where they will be away to either Rainey or BRA.

Down High 30

Lurgan College 0