Belfast High School Former Pupils RFC

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BHSFP 38 v 0 Virginia

Tries : G Adams, J Teret, A Best, C James, N Hastings

Conversions : P Taylor 5

Penalties : P Taylor

High School went into this match knowing that a win was essential in order to maintain their title challenge. Little was known about Virginia as this was the first encounter between the two sides this season.
The game was played in bright clear conditions on the large Prunty with High School getting off to the better start. After only 4 minutes of play the High School were awarded a penalty 25 meters out following pressure on the Virginia defence. Quick thinking saw the ball tapped and moved to the left through 3 sets of hands to Gareth Adams . Gareth needed no second invitation to open the scoring with a well taken try in the corner. Peter Taylor converted from the touchline.
The Virginia defence continued to suffer from the expansive game played by High School and only rarely did they mount a threatening attack . On a number of occasions High School almost crossed the Virginia line only to be denied by a fumble or forward pass. The next try however again came from a penalty situation . Again the penalty was quickly taken and the ball was moved to the right but the move broke down 5 metres from the Virginia line. Good work in the ensuing ruck secured the ball which was quickly moved left to Jonny Teret who crashed over for the try. Peter Taylor converted.
The Virginia cause was not helped when on 20 minutes they suffered the loss of their hooker who got ten minutes in the bin after the referee spotted foul play. At this stage Virginia had rallied and were coming back into the game through some good forward play particularly in the line outs where their spoiling tactics were paying dividends. Unfortunately with a man down they were not able to maintain the pressure and succumbed to another High School try after 29 minutes. The ball was moved across the High School backs who were eager to run at Virginia at every opportunity. With Neil Hastings receiving on the wing the way seemed clear for the run in . Good cover defence from Virginia stopped Neil but he was supported by a rampant Alistair Best who took the ball at speed and finished the move untouched. Peter Taylor converted.
With the Virginia team restored to full strength High School continued to take the game to them through the forward pack who were dominating proceedings . As in previous matches the back row of David Hanna, David Wright and Jonny Teret worked well in tandem with the second row combination of Mark Lambe and Alistair Best. The powerhouse front row unit of Peter Taylor, Greg Fowles and John Balmer consistently secured good possession and roamed freely in the loose.
After a quieter spell of play High School were awarded a penalty on the 10 meter line which they elected to kick . Peter Taylor converted . This was quickly followed on 40 minutes by another try. Again the try came from the free running backs who had also defended extremely well all afternoon snuffing out the main Virginia attacking threat through their strong running centre. From a ruck the ball was moved left through a number of hands to Colin James who went in for the try. Peter Taylor converted.
Half time arrived with High School very much in the driving seat.
HALF TIME BHSFP 31 - 0 VIRGINIA
The second half started much as the first finished with High School taking the game to Virginia. Unfortunatly after only 5 minutes Jonny Teret was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury which had troubled him in the first half.
With the High School team reduced to 14 men it was all hands to the pumps . The backs were forced to adopt a more defensive game plan to thwart the Virginia team who sensed the possibility of crossing the High School line. However for the majority of the second half High School continued to hold the upper hand and on a couple of occasions came close to scoring .
With the game moving into the final few minutes High School were reduced yet further in numbers when Jordon Frampton received a yellow card. With 13 men on the pitch and missing the influential outhalf it seemed the game would finish without further points being added by either side. But with only 4 minutes left on the clock High School took a scrum against the head on the halfway line. The ball was moved into open space through six sets of hands to Neil Hastings on the wing who went in at the corner for the try. This was a very well worked try and received the applause of the extensive band of High School supporters. Peter Taylor converted from the touchline.
FINAL SCORE BHSFP 38 - 0 VIRGINIA Next week its away to Virginia for the return match. Book early for your seat on the bus. Labor Ipse Voluptas

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Last modified: August 29, 2004