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This
important home game got underway in reasonable conditions on the small
Prunty pitch at the High School.
Initially
both sides tested each other out with some probing runs but the game was
only 4 minutes old when Randalstown capitalised on a defensive lapse by
High School allowing the Town winger in for an opportunist try which was
duly converted. High School quickly put this behind them and got back into
the game challenging the Randalstown pack up front and moving the ball to
the backline when possible.
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The
game was very much an even contest for most of the first half with the
High School drawing level after 20 minutes. The try came from a good
forward drive up the middle of the pitch , excellent recycling of the ball
which was moved wide after 3 phases allowing winger Neill Hastings in for
the try. The try was converted by Pete Taylor who seemed to have brought
the kicking boots again this week following a match winning display the
previous week against Donegal.
As
the game moved towards the conclusion of the first half Randalstown were
awarded an easy penalty opportunity which was missed .
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HALF
TIME BHSFP
7 -
RANDALSTOWN 7
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The second half opened with High School having the
slight disadvantage of playing against the cross pitch wind. However this
didn’t seem to bother the High School team who started the half with
some excellent forward work particularly in the line out where once again
Mark Lambe was to the fore. The High School pack dominated play for most
of the second half through considerable improvement in the scrum which had
been under pressure in the first half from a strong Randalstown eight.
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| The
next score of the game went to High School from an excellent move which
started from a three man lineout on the Town 22. The ball was moved from
the line to Owen Sweeney who went on one of his characteristic bullocking
runs through the Town defence . The ball was recycled from the ensuing
ruck and moved right to Ian Elliott who finished the move with the try.
Pete Taylor once again converted from well out on the right.
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| Within five minutes of the restart High
School found themselves in an almost identical position . The move which
created the previous try was repeated again with Owen Sweeney again
tearing the Randalstown defence to shreds. The ball was recycled and moved
quickly right for an excellent try by outhalf Jordan Frampton.The try was
converted by Pete Taylor.
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| At
this stage High School were well on top with the back row dominating
proceedings. The game was however disrupted when Jordan Frampton had to
leave the field for attention to a bleeding wound on his cheek. Good work
by the medical / alikadoo team saw Jordan returned after some four minutes
making a first class impression of a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle of the
Ninja variety.
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| Soon
after regaining full strength a penalty opportunity was missed by High
School but this was followed up by a superbly executed move leading to a
try. From deep in their own half High School won good lineout possession
and once again moved the ball wide. Colin James took up possession in
midfield and made a searing break which left the Randalstown defence
floundering. The ball continued its journey to the wing where once again
Neill Hastings went in for his second try of the match. Pete Taylor
converted from the right touchline with a superb kick.
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| Moving
into the last quarter of the game and with a 28 – 7 lead High School
seemed to take the foot of the gas. This combined with a series of
penalties against the High School and a yellow card reducing the team to
14 men for the last 10 minutes allowed Randalstown to take the initiative
and finish strongly. Randalstown scored 2 tries in this period ( one
converted ) through strong forward play
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| Overall High School can be satisfied with
a good win against strong opposition .
Forwards and backs combined well to produce some excellent rugby in
the second half allowing the team to continue their winning form. |
FINAL SCORE BHSFP 28 -
RANDALSTOWN 19
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Labor
Ipse Voluptas
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Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
