| With no official match on the fixture list High School
arranged a Hanky Ball game against Grosvenor which ensured the team had a
competitive outing in preparation for the next League encounter in 2 weeks
time. |
The teams took the field in the face of a biting winter
wind with snow showers skirting the hills. It wasn't a day for whingers ,
sorry wingers. Grosvenor had arrived a man short but Chris Cromie duly
volunteered to fill the gap in the front row ensuring the dreaded
uncontested scrum law was not invoked.
|
The game kicked off with High School playing against the
elements in the first half. Grosvenor started well and camped in the High
School half for the first few minutes. High School were securing little
ball at this stage but one could sense that the backs on this particular
day were anxious to get things moving, something to do with monkeys and
brass things. The first opportunity came when the game was 10 minutes old.
Grosvenor spilled the ball which was then secured by the High School pack.
Jonny Mayne quickly moved the oval to his right into the hands of Ian
Elliott who seized his chance with a magnificent break 50 metres out. Ian
outstripped the Grosvenor defence to score in the corner . The try was
unconverted.
|
Although this score was against the run of play it was
clear that High School had the edge over Grosvenor and would take every
opportunity to run the ball once they had settled down and started to get
regular clean possession. The next try was of similar vintage to the first
. From a Grosvenor drop out the ball went to the hands of Jordon Frampton
who set off from 75 metres out to leave the Grosvenor defence in his wake
and score an excellent solo effort.( unconverted ). The immense crowd on
the touchline who were bravely facing the frequent showers of fine skin
pricking snow were being treated to a first class display of running
rugby. Thankfully most of the players were sheltered from the elements by
Jordon's sail like shorts which no one really noticed.
|
It wasn't all one way though. The Grosvenor pack populated
by some experienced forwards were rucking and mauling well. The High
School eight were content to contain Grosvenor and feed their backs as
often as possible.
The combination of John Balmer at hooker , and the youthful back row of
David Wright , Jonny Territ and David Hanna seemed to be working well.
David Wright was next on the score sheet after 30 minutes when following a
period of open handling he crashed over after some excellent support play.
The try was converted by Peter Taylor.
|
The home support were being well entertained as the game
was allowed to flow by referee David Beattie who could easily have
whistled the match to death due to the numerous weather condition induced
errors.
|
With the snow on again and the match moving towards half
time High School
once again showed their ability to cope with the conditions with another
period of skilful interplay between backs and forwards. An excellent break
by Phil McKeown set up the movement and although the ball went loose David
Hanna was on hand to clean up and feed to Jonny Mayne who went in for the
try. The try was converted by Pete Taylor.
|
HALF TIME BHSFP 24 - GROSVENOR 0
|
| As this was a friendly game both sides took the opportunity
to make some changes at the half time break. For High School Andrew
McCormick and Alistair Best took the field . In Grosvenors case Maurice
Field accepted their invitation to play the second half and moved into the
centre.
|
High School were now playing with the elements and had
effectively tied up the match by half time. The forwards were pretty much in control although
Grosvenor continued to exert pressure and kept High School pinned in their
own half for lengthy periods. The next try however came from a forward
move and was started by Brian McGreal who after receiving the ball in loose
play set off on a precocious 30 metre run before being halted . The ball
finished up in the hands of Ian Elliott who went in for his second of the day . The
try was converted by Pete Taylor.
|
| The High School were not quite able to get as much running
attacking rugby in this half and were perhaps guilty of allowing the game to become too
loose. Various handling moves were attempted with the ball moving forwards
and backwards with no real penetration. It wasn't until ten minutes before
the end that High School again scored from open play . With the ball
moving back and forward in a trapezium like formation ground was
eventually made and Ian Elliott once again found himself with the line at his mercy. He
decided to offload with a neat inside pass to Andrew McCormick who was up
in support for the try. Phew ,save the Jug for another day !!. The try was
converted.
|
| With the wind whistling around the ground and the players
and spectators looking forward to some relief from the elements the game was brought to
an end by the referee.
|
FINAL SCORE BHSFP 38 - GROSVENOR 0
|
Next week no match but its International day with a big
screen at the club.
|
|
Labor Ipse Voluptas.
|
Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
