| Belfast High School Former Pupils welcomed Ballyshannon for
this important league match on what was a bright but blustery day with
conditions solid underfoot. |
| The match kicked off with High School playing with the wind
.As usual the teams tested each other out in the opening minutes with the
Ballyshannon pack showing they were well equipped for a forward battle.
However, High School took the upper hand quite early with a score after
only 6 minutes play . This came from a messy line out which was expertly
cleaned up by Greg Fowles who powered over the line from 10 metres. The
score was converted by Pete Taylor. |
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For the next 20 minutes honours were even with each team
making headway but unable to change the scoreline. Although smaller the
High School pack robustly defended their ground and often out mauled and
rucked the opposition. Ably led by Peter Taylor the forwards conjured up
the next try. From a quick throw in the ball was shifted left to Peter who
was up in support to crash over. Unfortunately he was unable to convert.
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| Jonny Mayne as usual delivered a superb service to his
backs who were itching to get more involved in the match and it was a back
who put the next points on the board after 35 minutes. Once again the ball
was spilled on the High School ten metre line but was quickly gathered by
a High School player. The referee played a good advantage and when the
ball was moved wide to Neil Hastings on the wing with open ground ahead
there was only going to be one outcome. Converted by Pete Taylor. |
The Ballyshannon pack were not in the business of giving up
and continued to exert pressure up front .However, it was not going to be
their day as the High School backs grew stronger and ever more confident
as the match wore on and good quality possession became abundant. The next
try was one of the best seen for some time and can only be described as a
"beauty" . Like an old Rembrant masterpiece the try was conjured
up from a blank canvas and finished in style. The ball was won cleanly in
the lineout and with precision moved across the back line. With Colin
James joining at the right moment the overlap was created to allow Gareth
Adams to sprint in to the corner . Converted by Pete Taylor.
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HALF TIME BHSFP 26 - BALLYSHANNON 0
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The second half saw High School playing into the strong
wind and
Ballyshannon coming out with all guns blazing. The Shannon pack took
control and camped on the High School line for the next 5 minutes. Their
hard work was rewarded when on 50 minutes they scored from a poorly
defended 5 metre scrum. The try was unconverted.
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This lapse in concentration by High School was quickly put
right following a stern talk by Pete Taylor. From a line out on the
Shannon 10 metre line the ball was shifted quickly to Ian Elliott who
neatly turned inside to catch the defence flat footed and go over for the
try after 52 minutes play.
Converted by Pete Taylor.
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At this stage the High School side were playing excellent
rugby with
forwards and backs working in tandem to create space and opportunities. It
was therefore not unexpected that the next score would quickly arrive. On
55 minutes and after pressure on the Shannon defence the ball came cleanly
from a ruck and once again arrived with Neil Hastings who powered his way
across the line for his second try. The try was converted by Pete Taylor
who kicked exceptionally well all day particularly into the wind in the
second half. |
Against the run of play Ballyshannon put the next points on
the board when a loose pass was intercepted allowing the winger a clear
run to the line.The try was converted
|
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As the game progressed into the final stages High School
were very much in command and while the backline were running freely the
next two tries were scored by the industrious Mark Lambe from the second
row. The first came from a lineout and the second from a quickly taken
penalty. Both tries were well taken by Mark who was intent in getting his
name on the score sheet doing so twice in quick succession. One try was
converted.
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| A further lapse in concentration by High School saw
Ballyshannon score a try towards the end of the game when strong running
took their player through some non existent tackling for a converted try. |
Not to be outdone High School finished the game with a good
try by David Wright who completed a solid days work in the back row. Again
the try came from a ruck situation with David charging in from 20 metres.
The conversion was missed.
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This game was a demonstration of the ability of this team
scoring 9 tries on the day against strong opposition. The Forwards laid an
excellent foundation with good set piece play and work in ruck and maul.
Although not getting on the score sheet Owen Sweeney had an excellent
match accompanied by John Balmer and David Wright in the back row. The
backs ran strongly and demonstrated that when receiving quality ball from
up front they are a match for any side they will meet.
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| Next week its Randalstown in the cup , away.
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Labor Ipse Voluptas
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Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
