Varying Fortune for U18 Squads.
The Ireland Schools side were 20-18 winners over their English counterparts in Cambridge while the Ireland Youths (U18) were beaten 20-5 by Wales in their opening Four Nations game in Otley.
The Schools side showed great courage in the face of a final quarter onslaught to deny the home side who missed two inury time penalties. Ireland 12-10 at half time thanks to four David Connellan penalties. Substitute John Hearty added a try in the 46th minute just before the English captain Stephen Byrnes was sin-binned. Connelland and Ross Broadfoot exchanged penalties to set up a frantic finish.
In Otley Rugby Club the Irish Youths (U18) went down 20-5 to Wales in the opening game of the Four Nations Tournament. Ireland trailed 15-0 at the break and although they scored first in the second half thanks to a Ronan Loughney try, the Welsh responded with a try from Daniel Hitchens to end up deserving winners.