On Saturday morning Banbridge Academy faced near neighbours Down High School in a schools’ friendly. A diagonal wind blew across the pitch, and we had all 4 seasons of weather during the game.

In what was to be a high scoring game, a Josh Herron try opened the scoring on 3 minutes for Down to lead 5-0. Banbridge composed themselves and from a lineout maul Adam Jones forced his way over, in the corner to tie the scores at 5-5, after 12 minutes.

Down responded immediately. Ethan Whyte’s try and Josh McCaughey’s conversion put Down 12-5 up, after 15 minutes.

Down began to exert dominance. Herron’s 2nd try after 25 minutes, followed by Lewis Connolly’s try, after 31 minutes put Down 22-5 up.

Just before halftime Jones scored his 2nd try, out . . .