Peter Perfect is Captain Fantastic

Dromore Captain Peter OConnor makes a break from the back of the scrum.

The squad of 22 players made up of Year 10 and Year 11 boys were led by their instrumental captain Peter O’Connor who put in an impressive performance in difficult conditions.

The weather played a big part in the game with persistent heavy rain making it difficult for both sides.

The first 20 minutes were cagey with both sides trying to gain territory with regular kicking. Out-half Rhys Dale and scrum-half Connor Woods controlled their pack and put Grosvenor deep into their 22.

Miguel Marques prepares to make a tackle.

However, Dromore made a few basic errors which allowed Grosvenor to escape unscathed.

The first points of the game came from a Grosvenor penalty as a result of ill-discipline from the Dromore pack.

Dromore immediately responded on the stroke of half-time through the trusty boot of Connor Woods to level the score at 3-3.

Dromore put in a superb performance in the second half to streak away and book their place in the next round.

The pack, led by O`Connor and the influential prop Aaron Lyttle took control of the game and scored three tries.

The opening score came from a great line-out drive followed by a series of pick and go’s before centre Dean Dillon crashed over. Woods converted and Dromore had a 10-3 lead.

Dillon then put in a superb clearance kick to put his team deep into the Grosvenor 22. As a result Dromore obtained a scrum, from which number eight O`Connor powered over for an unconverted score.

Dromore started to dominate proceedings with Dillon controlling affairs now at out-half and year 10 Philip Jackson at scrum-half.

Dromore’s final score came from a searing break from Dillon resulting in Aaron Lyttle diving over to top a fantastic individual performance.

A late rally from Grosvenor saw them score but overall the coaches will be delighted with the discipline and defence of the Dromore team.

Back row forwards Glyn Surgenor and Josh Sloan were superb in the handling of the impressive Grosvenor number eight and Jakob Huppe dealt with the numerous kicks he had to field at full back.

This very pleasing performance saw Dromore progress onto the third round to be handed a tricky tie away to Omagh Academy.

Unfortunately the long road-trip against a well-drilled Co Tyrone side proved a bridge too far, with Omagh victorious. As a result the Dromore HS can now look forward to a ‘mouth-watering’ Medallion Bowl quarter-final against local rivals Banbridge Academy.