MOUNT House School entered the second week of their tour to Australia with two good wins over Mosman Prep and St Ignatius College under their belt.

The first match was against St Paul?s College, Manly. A morning of torrential downpours made it necessary to change grounds twice before one could be found that was able to host the game.

They were due to play in the Manly Oval, a splendid stadium, but it was not possible.

By kick-off time a blazing sun had emerged and the match was played in hot and humid conditions.

The XV found themselves up against it as the St Paul?s U13A team was big and skilful.

The team conceded two tries in only a few minutes, but then raised their game to make the match a contest.

In the second half Tom Painter and Henry Manning scored excellent tries to bring about a respectable final scoreline,14-38.

Some brave performances in the pack suggest that the forwards are progressing and the backs showed themselves to be a potent force.

The following day Mount House U12s took on a Sydney side, the Seaforth Raiders U12 under floodlights at the Sydney Academy of Sport.

Mount House took the lead with a try by winger Jack Morgan, but Seaforth equalised before a marvellous try by captain Rory Oxenham gave the visitors a 12-5 half-time lead.

The second half was a fierce battle, but the English forwards gradually gained the upper hand and good rucking allowed scrum half Bruce Fulton to cross for the decisive score.

Henry Manning, who came on in the last five minutes, sealed the win with a try under the posts for a 22-10 win against a quality side.