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IOM Schools off to perfect start in the Netherlands

Manx side thrash RC Diok

Isle of Man Schools recorded a winning start on their tour to the Netherlands with a 45-14 victory over RC Diok this afternoon.

 

With Diok’s pitch waterlogged due to the Dutch weather being similar to the current Manx climate, the game was switched to an artificial pitch at RC Bassets.

 

The Manx boys got off to a great start through captain Josh Smith as early as four minutes into the game and winger Jacob Halstein made it 10-0 ten minutes later, which was converted by full-back Harri Radford for 12-0.

 

A quick 5 metre penalty from Diok saw them saw their first try of the game midway through the half, which was converted for 12-7, but Schools hit back through a brace of tries from Radford, one of which was converted by Harry Swayne for 24-7. A 5 metre scrum just before half-time saw Diok power over the line and ground the ball in a melee of players, which was converted for 24-14 at the break.

 

Schools knew they needed a good start to the second half, and Radford completed his hat-trick of tries five minutes into the half, which was converted by Swayne for 31-14. As the squad was rotated, further tries came from Louis Dean and Jacob Meechan, with Swayne and Radford converting one apiece, leaving with a full time score of 45-14.

 

RC Diok are one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands, and have just announced a link up with Premiership outfit Leicester Tigers. IOM Schools played well, but will have things to work on over the weekend ahead of their second tour match against Bassets, whose u18s play in the division above Diok.

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