Downlands College Matches

Would it be wrong for me to say that I'm getting a little bored of rolling up to these rugby pitches shrouded in sunshine with stunning views?

2nd XV

From a promising start for TBSHS we had the ball turned over and then gave away a silly penalty. Downlands kicked for touch and were able to retain possession from the line-out, they then moved the ball quickly wide to create an overlap for the winger to score unopposed for an unconverted try. 0-5

The intensity of the game increased and there were some big hits going in from both sides. TBSHS were competing well but there was always the danger of an overlap which was evident on all of the Downlands attacks. TBSHS did well to turn the ball over from some smart play by Tyler Ackerman-Mond and were awarded a penalty which we kicked for touch. This was a shame as the most success we have had from penalties has been to keep the ball in hand throughout the tour, we then lost the subsequent line-out. TBSHS drew another penalty which was kicked into the Downlands 22 to put their defensive line under pressure but we lost the line-out.

Downlands then utilised what seems to be common practise in the Southern Hemisphere and kicked over the top of us for their flying centre to receive. Fortunately we were well prepared and between Jamie, Arriyan and Matt Foster we stopped him and forced him out of play. Our line-out just wasn't firing today and we lost another one as we overthrew the ball allowing their fly-half to pick the ball up and evade two tackles to score under the posts for a converted try. 0-12

Luke Withers demonstrated the intensity which was required to get us back into the game with a huge hit from the restart. This proved to be a catalyst for some good play from Arriyan as he intercepted the ball before offloading to Tyler who unfortunately knocked the ball on.

TBSHS continued to battle hard and look for a gap in the Downlands defence but despite a variety of different approaches nothing was working for TBSHS. The match was finally balanced despite the score and was a good competitive affair but once again the ball was turned over just before half-time and a clever kick from the winger released the outside centre who dodged a tackle from Jamie Rushworth and looked certain to score until Jack Stewart caught him and brought him down just before the line. The Downlands players were the quickest to the breakdown and were able to snatch the loose ball to dive under the posts to extend their lead as the referee brought the half to a close. 0-19

The stands were starting to fill-up in preparation for the 2nd half with over 200 spectators backing Downlands to beat the poms!

A positive restart from TBSHS saw Downlands knock the ball on and a flying Luke Withers caused another mistake but unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this. The game was starting to get a little tasty as Downlands weren't having it all their own way. Jack Stewart chased down a kick and his last ditch diving tackle caused a knock on from Downlands and we had a scrum on their 22.

TBSHS went through several phases of play and looked certain to score when Freddie White went head first into contact without any support and the ball was turned over. This was becoming a fantastic physical contest and TBSHS were giving it their all to find a way back into the match. The boys were standing up all over the pitch wanting to take the ball and drive us forward. The downside to this was it left us a little isolated with the ball at times and Downlands were able to regain possession. They ran hard and found some excellent lines to carve through our defence but more last ditch tackles kept them short of the line from Stewart, Wells and Demmon but the pressure eventually paid dividends and they went over underneath the posts to score a converted try. 0-26

The restart was again fiercely contested and Cameron Weekes found himself on the frontline making several tackles. Then time stood still as Arriyan Wells flew through the Downlands line to intercept the ball which he has been so close to doing several times on tour. Then from slow motion the game went into fast forward as Arriyan flew towards the line and scored under the posts to allow Matt Foster to slot an easy conversion. 7-26

This fired Downlands up and from the restart they turned the ball over and then showed some fantastic hands as they recycled the ball well in the tackle. As the ball was popped and moved around one of their forms came through like a raging bull to receive the ball and crash through our defence to score. 7-33

Another fantastic tackle by Luke Withers caused the Downlands player to knock the ball on and we were able to maintain possession. Sadly this didn't last long and the Downlands onslaught began again but our defence stood firm until Arriyan Wells was harshly shown a yellow card. With a man down the boys continued to defend admirably with big hits going in from Pryor and Weekes before the Downlands boys knocked the ball on. The intensity with which we were defending with was first rate and if they bring this back to England they will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Downlands were the grateful benefactors of a questionable pick-up which looked a lot like a knock-on was missed by the official and the winger was able to run the ball back into our 22 but once again he met a steel wall. Liam Demmon hit their centre like a heavyweight and the sound reverberated around the arena to the extent that the player didn't know what was happening as he held onto the ball like it was his mother and the referee pinged him.

Freddie White felt harshly treated when he flew up and wrapped up the player only for him to roll over in the tackle and in the officials eyes ground the ball for another score. 7-40

The final play of the 2nd teams tour was a beautiful catch by Cameron Weekes which saw us go through a few phases of play with Ben Hoare smashing it up the middle. Nick McCrone did well to get the ball out of the ruck and moved into Pryors awaiting hands who crashed through again. Nick McCrone was then nearly involved in another car crash as his huge mass was lifted high by an Australian monster fortunately with all of our hearts in our mouths he was put down softly before the ball went out of play and the referee drew the game and the tour for the 2nd XV to a close. 7-40 was the final score but the boys have been on a fantastic journey and improved considerably since Singapore.

MOM - Ben Pryor

1st XV

With a raucous entry to the field this game started as the last finished at a frenetic pace. TBSHS showed fantastic hands and the ball found its way out to Ollie Fortune who demonstrated the feet of a ballerina as he tiptoed through their defensive line to gain us more ground. Our line out was working well and we were drawing Downlands into lots of mistakes.

The ball was being moved well across the line and Ewan Rockell offloaded to Harry Wright who cut inside and drove towards the line with his momentum taking him over the line for a converted score. 7-0

This wasn't the start Downlands were expecting and were we certainly not letting them have it their own way. Daniel De Franca started the game well with make lots of aggressive carries and making ground for TBSHS. More mistakes were being made by Downlands and the referee kept pinging them as they got more frustrated that the pommies weren't laying down for their bashing!

This was a fantastic game of rugby to watch and TBSHS were playing some great stuff with everyone on the pitch doing their job to the best of their ability. The Downlands crowd were doing their best to encourage the players and making a lot of noise but nothing they did was intimidating our boys. Dom Lilley was having an influential game at fly-half as he confidently called players and moved the ball away from any potential trouble.

Angus Learmonth and Jack Sharp put in a couple of massive tackles, sadly this led to one of the Downlands players trying to stamp on Angus which was completely uncalled for and missed by the referee. With TBSHS losing their heads and composure for a split second Downlands took advantage of that and found a gap in our defence to run a try in under the posts to draw the game level. 7-7 (there was a big question mark surrounding a forward pass which led to the try)

TBSHS were enraged at this perceived miscarriage of justice and set about righting the wrongs of the last couple of minutes but in a fair way. What a first half of rugby this was turning out to be and Downlands certainly weren't expecting a group of marauding forwards like we had brought just moving around the pitch delivering huge hits and pain to all who stood in their way!

The final play of the half saw Downlands given a penalty which they kicked into our corner. Again we defended with passion and resilience which caused a knock-on by their dangerous 12 as he was hit first by Jack Sharp and then Jon Readshaw to bring an exciting half of rugby to a close.

The 2nd half started in exactly the same vein as the end of the first with both teams giving it their all to gain an psychological advantage. Bradley Etherington entered the field of play during the half-time break and was involved in the action immediately as he punched a hole in their defence. Sadly the ball was turned over and a moment of madness from TBSHS spear tackling one of the Downlands players led to a penalty which was kicked into touch. The line out was won by Downlands and laid off to the centre who slipped through a gap in our defence to score a converted try. 7-14

This didn't phase TBSHS and was used as fuel to feed their burning desire to win this game. We went straight back onto the attack and drew several penalties, but Downlands had worked out our line out and were able to turn the ball over.

A kick over the top brought Will Powell into the game as he ran it back but a questionable decision gave Downlands a penalty. TBSHS defended with great passion and once again drew the penalty. This led to the ball being flung wide to Jack Sharp who appeared on the wing, as he ran forwards he eye-balled his opposite number and smashed him in the face with a big hand sending him crashing to the ground which was followed up with a lovely sidestep before being felled by the full-back.

This good phase of play cleared annoyed Downlands as once again they decided that stamping on Alex Hughes was their only option once the ball had gone. The referee spotted this one and opted to show a yellow rather than red!

TBSHS continued to defend their line with all that they are worth and Downlands were struggling to find a way through. Jon Readshaw continues to do what he has been doing all tour and nicking the ball at the breakdown with great effect. Downlands were now rattled and Ewan Rockell reacted to a loose ball employing his best football skills as he kicked it into space to run onto and then a chase ensued. Ewan got their first again and knocked the ball into the in goal area before being tackled off the ball which was a real shame. Ollie Fortune then employed his football skills killing the ball dead with his foot from the 22 drop-out and gaining us the ball again.

TBSHS had raised their level again which I didn't think was possible but they found another gear with Angus Learmonth and Jack Sharp turning the ball over. As a result of Downlands frustrations mounting they continued to give away penalties and make mistakes. Unfortunately, the resulting line out was won by Downlands and they ran back hard with the ball, after a couple of phases of play the winger picked the ball up and picked a good line to score under the posts. This was very disappointing as it was against the run of play and certainly wasn't deserved. 7-21

With 5 minutes to go TBSHS were fired up to leave everything they had on the pitch. It was like a fireworks display with the oohs and aahhhs ringing out from the stands in appreciation of big hits and great hands as the ball was flung around by both teams. This is an amazing end to what has been a fantastic tour!

TBSHS had once last hurrah as they threw everything at Downlands. Ewan Rockell demonstrated great hands and the ability to improvise as the attack gained momentum, Jack Sharp cleared out a ruck by firing into two players horizontally knocking them flying backwards but sadly we ran out of time as the ball went dead and the referee brought the curtain down on the Australia 2015 rugby tour and for a few lads their TBSHS rugby career!

MOM - Ewan Rockell