The conditions were perfect for a game of running rugby with
the sun shining and the ball dry . High School took the pitch in
anticipation of a comfortable win given the outcome of the away fixture
against Armoy earlier in the season.
The game was only 4 minutes old when the first penalty opportunity
presented itself to High School . Unfortunately the penalty from a
difficult angle was put wide.
Scrappy play was the name of the game with both sides guilty
of unforced errors. High School were playing in a panicky fashion and
although it was clear even at this early stage that they had too much for
Armoy they were
unable to produce the free flowing rugby which has been the trademark of
the season so far.
Good work by hooker Greg Fowles started the move which led
to the first score after 10 minutes.. Taking the scrum against the head
High School moved the ball across the backs where Phil McKeown put in a
deft little chip which in turn was collected by winger Greg Elliott who
crossed in the corner forthe try. The conversion was missed.
This was the only ray of light in an otherwise oily sea of
mediocrity. Twenty minutes elapsed before the next scoring opportunity
which fell to High School through a well taken penalty from the educated
boot of PeteTaylor.
High School continued to struggle to find their rhythm and
were sucked into playing the Armoy type of game rather than setting the
agenda themselves. Armoy for their part spoiled well and were determined
not to go down without a fight. They were rewarded after 30 minutes when a
line out 5 metres from the High School line was poorly defended allowing
an Armoy player to crash over for the converted try.
The game continued to stutter to half time.
HALF TIME BHSFP RFC 8 - ARMOY 7
On the restart Armoy went on to the attack and on 43 minutes
they managed to score from loose play. The try was unconverted.
High School were now behind and needed to find something to pull the game
back. The improvement came and for the next 35 minutes High School
dominated the play and managed to slip back into normal mode . The
forwards started towin clean ball with Jonny Territ and Pete Taylor
securing the hard yards. This served to provide the backs with a solid
platform and a base to work from. The High School half back pairing were
instrumental in turning the
game around and with better ball they attacked the Armoy defence at every
opportunity.
High School pressure resulted in a series of penalties with
Pete Taylor converting on 53 minutes. High School could now sense the game
coming back their way and with confidence rising they put the next points
on the board through a well engineered try on 60 minutes by John Balmer.
This came from a second phase ruck with the ball moving wide to the left
wing where any good prop should be !! Pete Taylor once again secured the
conversion points.
Further points came on 65 minutes when Pete Taylor converted
an excellent penalty. By this stage High School were well ahead and knew
they had secured the game. A final try was added a few minutes before the
whistle when birthday boy Alistair Best gave himself a well deserved
present . This came from a penalty situation when the ball was once again
moved wide , a ruck ensued and with good possession secured the ball was
again recycled left to Alistair who came in on an angled run to cross the
line. The try was converted easily by Pete Taylor.
The game came to a close with High School satisfied with a
good win but realising that they must dictate terms on the pitch and not
be drawn into playing someone else's game. Hard talking was instrumental in
turning this game around and overall the team deserve credit for sticking
at it and keeping the league win still very much a possibility.
Next week Viginia , get the Euros and passport out again.
Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
