Holders Down High through to last four

Holders Down High through to last four

21 February 2018

DOWN High got their Danske Bank Subsidiary Shield defence off to an encouraging start with a convincing quarter-final win over Royal School Dungannon on Saturday morning in Downpatrick. 

Playing in sun-soaked and unusually warm conditions for this time of year, Down High inflicted all their damage in the first half.

Outside centre Greg Hutley got the scoreboard ticking for the home side around five minutes into the fixture with a well-struck penalty after Dungannon were adjudged to have been offside in defence. 

Hutley was back at the tee a few moments later to convert a try that had been scored by wing Ronan Patterson, who timed his run to perfection within a well-executed set-piece play.

Around the 20-minute mark Dungannon did mount a period of pressure on the Down High line and the home side were somewhat relieved that the Tyrone side opted to kick a penalty, which was struck by Luke McMullan.

The restart that followed Dungannon’s successful penalty allowed Down High to re-establish territorial control and it wasn’t long before Down were awarded a penalty advantage by the referee after a Dungannon infringement at a ruck. 

The Down High boys fully capitalised on the advantage as centre Harris McConnell dotted down, finishing off an excellent break and pass by captain Robin Wilson. Hutley added the extras.

Wilson ran in for a score seconds after Dungannon’s restart. A fantastic kick, received by the Down forwards, was followed by a pin-point accurate, Lewis Finlay box kick that bounced awkwardly for the Dungannon defenders. 

As confusion reigned, Wilson was quick to snatch the ball and run in unhindered for Down’s third try of the morning.

With minutes to go before half-time Down were awarded a penalty just inside the Dungannon half, but in the middle of the pitch. By this stage Hutley was confident he had the range and accuracy and opted for the kick. 

To the amusement of the large home support, the ball bounced off the upright and ped over, taking Down High into half-time with a 27-3 lead.

Being so far ahead, the home side’s game became incredibly fragmented in the second half. They made a number of impressive line-breaks and had several entries into the Dungannon 22, but consistently 

lacked the clinical edge to cross for any scores.

Indeed, it would be the visitors who had the final say with a consolatory, unconverted try with five minutes left. 

Whilst the second half took the shine off the Down High performance, they were glad to have secured a place in the semi-finals where will face Coleraine Grammar at home on Saturday, March 3.

Down High School 27

Royal School, Dungannon 8

DANSKE BANK SUBSIDARY SHEILD QUARTER-FINAL