High School travelled to Lisburn to play what
was an important game with league points crucial to maintain pressure at
the top of the table. The weather was bright and sunny with the pitch in
good condition.
The game got underway with a good period of pressure from
the High School who took the game immediately to the Predators.
Unfortunately on 10 minutes Predators were awarded a penalty which was
converted putting them into a not
so deserved lead.
High School continued to dominate play but it
was clear that Brian McKernon, a most influential player , had taken an
early knock and was eventually forced to leave the field after 20 minutes.
From this point the game reverted to uncontested scrums and High School
were down to 14 men for the remainder of the match. However, undaunted the
High School pack supported by the nifty back division both attacked and
defended well.
On 25 minutes High School were awarded a penalty
some distance out which was unfortunately missed . This was followed soon
after by another penalty attempt by Predators which was also missed.
Both teams defended well during this period and it is a
credit to High School that despite being a man down they managed to reach
half time with no
further score added by Predators.
HALF TIME PREDATORS 3 - BHSFP 0
The second half started with High School on the attack once again but
the Predators defence was sound . At this point the game was finely
balanced with neither side seeming able to break the defensive wall of the
opposition to score the all important try.
Predators went further ahead on 45 minutes when again they were awarded a
penalty in a very kickable position . The kick was good taking Predators
into a 6 Nil lead.
High School lifted their game a further notch at this point
and were rewarded with a penalty just inside their own half as the game
reached the 51st minute. Peter Taylor accepted the opportunity and banged
over a superb kick to give High School 3 well deserved points.
From the restart Predators were quickly awarded
yet another penalty which was converted bringing the score at this point
to 9 v 3 in their favour. The seesaw penalty count continued and with 57
minutes on the clock Peter Taylor again struck a sweetly taken penalty
from 30 metres making it 9 v 6 in favour of Predators.
Still the game lacked a try but High School were playing out of their
skins in the defensive department and this was shown demonstrably by Jonny
Territ who delivered what can only be described as the 'hit' of the
season. During a period of intense pressure a Predators player attempted
to break around the side of a ruck some 5 metres from the High School line
. Jonny seen what was happening and stopped the player dead in his tracks
with a tackle of superb strength and timing. A certain try was averted.
High School weathered the pressure and again went on the
attack taking the game to Predators. This resulted in a further penalty to
the High School on 69 minutes when Peter Taylor was again presented with a
difficult kick to draw level. The ball whistled over the bar and the game
moved into the last 10 minutes with everything to play for.
High School at this stage were dominant but suffered again through a
heavily disputed penalty award on 73 minutes. The penalty seemed to be a
very harsh
decision which allowed Predators to move into a 12 - 9 lead and ultimately
steal the game .
High School fought hard to the end and can feel
pleased that with 14 men on the pitch Predators failed to cross their
line.
The League is still wide open and High School ,
on this performance can move forward with total confidence in their
ability to be in where it counts come the end of the season.
Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
