Following the success Lurgan College had in their first game against the Pretoria Harlequin's U19 team, the squad travelled to visit the Mabula Game Reserve before travelling to George where they set up camp for three nights in the beautiful resort of Plettenberg Bay.
Here they prepared for their next game against George High School - a game which was played as the curtain raiser for the Currie Cup match featuring the South West Districts and the Orange Free State at Outeniqua Park.
The Lurgan College team continued their successful run on South African soil, winning this game 32-20. The Lurgan team started the game strongly and took a 5-0 lead when, following good work from his forwards the team hooker, Lewis Lawson, crashed over the whitewash to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. The George High School team responded immediately when their outhalf displayed great footwork to outwit the Lurgan defence and run in for an unconverted try to draw the score level at 5-5. The Lurgan College pack then started to impose themselves on the George High School pack with Victor MacKenzie, Harry Simpson and Ben McAlister leading the charge. Domination at the lineout gave the Lurgan team quality possession and they scored two quick tries through Scott Wilson. Robbie Norton added one conversion to see his team into a 17-5 lead. Close to the interval the George HS back division paved the way for a second unconverted try to leave Lurgan College with a 17-10 lead at the break.
The Lurgan team started the second half as they had the first, with a try. Ryan Wilson barged over the George High School line from close quarters to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 22-10 lead. This became 27-10 a few minutes later when Ryan repeated a similar move to score a second try. The George team responded positively and ran in two unconverted tries to reduce the deficit to 27-20 with just minutes of the game remaining. Lurgan College then sealed their 32-20 victory with a fine individual try from Richard Hull. This led to great celebrations from the entire Lurgan College tour squad and their management team.
The day after the game, Lurgan College travelled to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan College where they met up with former Coleraine AI and Ulster Schools’ flanker, Wayne McAfee. Wayne founded the Sports Academy in George some nine years ago and works with young underprivileged children from the local townships. Also present was Adam Craig from the PE staff in Sullivan Upper School who is spending his summer working in South Africa. The Lurgan College pupils joined in soccer tournaments organised by Wayne and Adam and listened intently as Wayne shared his church-based witness to all in attendance.
The visit finished with the Lurgan College boys providing some opposition for a girls’ netball squad who were training in preparation for an early autumn visit to Northern Ireland. The squad then returned to base via a visit to the Kynsna festival in preparation for a spot of whale watching in Plettenberg Bay.
The Lurgan College Tour Party will drive to Hermanus via the Garden Route before ending up in Cape Town where they will finish their tour playing in the Swartland Rugby Festival held at Hopefield High School.
We wish them a safe and successful journey!
Here they prepared for their next game against George High School - a game which was played as the curtain raiser for the Currie Cup match featuring the South West Districts and the Orange Free State at Outeniqua Park.
The Lurgan College team continued their successful run on South African soil, winning this game 32-20. The Lurgan team started the game strongly and took a 5-0 lead when, following good work from his forwards the team hooker, Lewis Lawson, crashed over the whitewash to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. The George High School team responded immediately when their outhalf displayed great footwork to outwit the Lurgan defence and run in for an unconverted try to draw the score level at 5-5. The Lurgan College pack then started to impose themselves on the George High School pack with Victor MacKenzie, Harry Simpson and Ben McAlister leading the charge. Domination at the lineout gave the Lurgan team quality possession and they scored two quick tries through Scott Wilson. Robbie Norton added one conversion to see his team into a 17-5 lead. Close to the interval the George HS back division paved the way for a second unconverted try to leave Lurgan College with a 17-10 lead at the break.
The Lurgan team started the second half as they had the first, with a try. Ryan Wilson barged over the George High School line from close quarters to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 22-10 lead. This became 27-10 a few minutes later when Ryan repeated a similar move to score a second try. The George team responded positively and ran in two unconverted tries to reduce the deficit to 27-20 with just minutes of the game remaining. Lurgan College then sealed their 32-20 victory with a fine individual try from Richard Hull. This led to great celebrations from the entire Lurgan College tour squad and their management team.
The day after the game, Lurgan College travelled to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan College where they met up with former Coleraine AI and Ulster Schools’ flanker, Wayne McAfee. Wayne founded the Sports Academy in George some nine years ago and works with young underprivileged children from the local townships. Also present was Adam Craig from the PE staff in Sullivan Upper School who is spending his summer working in South Africa. The Lurgan College pupils joined in soccer tournaments organised by Wayne and Adam and listened intently as Wayne shared his church-based witness to all in attendance.
The visit finished with the Lurgan College boys providing some opposition for a girls’ netball squad who were training in preparation for an early autumn visit to Northern Ireland. The squad then returned to base via a visit to the Kynsna festival in preparation for a spot of whale watching in Plettenberg Bay.
The Lurgan College Tour Party will drive to Hermanus via the Garden Route before ending up in Cape Town where they will finish their tour playing in the Swartland Rugby Festival held at Hopefield High School.
We wish them a safe and successful journey!