High School travelled to Randalstown for a
vitally important league encounter in the knowledge that a win was
essential to maintain the pressure at the top of the table. It was a fine
, dry day with firm conditions underfoot.
High School knew they would be in for a hard
match from the usually strong and committed Randalstown pack and so it
proved to be on the day. The match got underway with both teams attacking
at every opportunity. The Randalstown eight let it be known they meant
business from the start but High School up to the challenge and gave
little ground in the early period.
The first scoring opportunity came after 10
minutes when Randalstown were awarded a penalty within kicking distance
but failed to convert the
opportunity. At this point honours were even with neither side getting a
strong upperhand.
The complexion of the game changed however after 15 minutes
when following a lineout throw a maul formed. Fists started to fly and the
game descended
into a brawl involving numerous players from both teams. When the
situation calmed the referee decided to yellow card a Randalstown player
but increased
the punishment against the High School by dismissing the influential
second row player Brian McGreal. This was a bad blow to High School and
seemed a harsh punishment given the circumstances of the brawl . Despite
the protests of both player and spectator alike the referee's decision was
final and High School were faced with an enormous uphill task with 14 men.
For the next ten minutes while the teams were
even in numbers the High
School dominated the loose play although they were under pressure in scrum
and lineout without the significant influence of Brian McGreal. The
pressure exerted in the loose resulted in a penalty to High School and the
first points of the game from the boot of Peter Taylor . The penalty was
well struck from 22 metres and gave High School the boost they needed at
this stage.
This penalty was soon followed by another when
Peter elected to have a go from just inside the Randalstown half. This was
a good call given the
strength of his boot and proved to be the right decision when a further 3
points were added to the scoreline.
At this stage Randalstown were restored to their full
compliment of players after the earlier sin-binning incident. Immediately
High School were on the
back foot in set piece play and the game started to swing Randalstown's
way. The High school line was under attack when Randalstown were awarded a
penalty 10 metres out. A Randalstown player charged over the line for the
try virtually untouched but appeared not to have taken the penalty in the
correct manner. Again in the midst of loud complaint from the High School
support the referee allowed the score to stand. The try was converted
putting Randalstown into the lead for the first time in the match.
Withy the continued advantage in numbers
Randalstown took the game to High School who despite some excellent
defensive work conceded a further try in the 32nd minute. This came from a
5 metre scrum from which Randalstown charged over for the try which was
unconverted.
At this stage the game seemed to be in the
pockets of Randalstown but the indefatigable spirit of the High School
team came to the fore and they started the fight back through the forward
pack. The back row of Jonny Territ , David Hanna and Phil McKeown rose to
the occasion and from this point on they completely outplayed their
opposite numbers. With Ali Best playing his best game to date in a High
School jersey it was clear that Randalstown , despite the numerical
advantage had a match on their hands.
Sustained pressure and the ability to move the
ball into space resulted in 2 further penalties to High School on 38 and
44 minutes. Both penalties were converted by Peter Taylor who by this
stage was directing and focusing the players on the objective while
leading from the front. The score was now even at 12 all with the match to
play for.
HALF TIME RANDALSTOWN 12 -
12 BHSFP
The half time team talk was taken by a fired up
John Balmer who laid it on the line to the players . Shades of William
Wallace at Falkirk !! The
message got through and within 6 minutes of the restart High School had
taken the lead again. This came from a set piece in the middle of the
pitch around the Randalstown 10 metre line. The ball was moved wide to
Colin James who came in on a superbly angled run to cut through the
Randalstown defence for the try. The try was converted and suddenly High
School were 7 points clear although the idea of retaining the lead for the
remaining 34 minutes of the match against such a strong Randalstown team
seemed impossible to contemplate.
A further penalty opportunity to High School
arose soon after this which
would have created the much needed cushion but the chance was missed.
Some 12 minutes into the second half the
pressure on the High School scrum began to tell and with an injury to
Peter Taylor ( Prop) the referee rightly determined that uncontested
scrums should be introduced for the remainder of the game.
The game continued with Randalstown reasserting
themselves up front. High School knew that any ball they did secure would
have to be moved wide or needed to be kicked to the corners to keep
pushing the Town team back. This approach managed to keep Randalstown at
bay for lengthy periods and with the half backs of Jonny Mayne and Jordon
Frampton playing the percentage game well it appeared that a potential
upset was on the cards.
Randalstown however had other ideas and threw everything but
the kitchen sink at High School who defiantly stood their ground and
defended their line
to a man. With a series of penalties to Randalstown they camped on the
High School line for what seemed like an eternity while the clock ticked
away .
Good work by full back Barry Taylor ensured the ball was efficiently dealt
with at every opportunity but the telling moment came when Randalstown
wasted a good penalty opportunity and High School were able to clear with
5 minutes left on the clock. Still Randalstown came back at High School
and tested their defence like never before. The 14 men stood firm while a
small
pile of bitten fingernails and long forgotten nervous twitches were
seen on the touchline.
With 3 minutes left on the clock and
Randalstown still piling on the
pressure Jonny Mayne made an excellent break from a scrum on the High
School 5 metre line . The ball was cleared down the pitch and from the
ensuing fumble High School were awarded the scrum. The ball was fed to
Jordon Frampton who's educated right peg sent it well into Randalstown
territory. The ball again broke open and found itself in the hands of Greg
Fowles who crossed the line for the try which sealed the match in High
Schools favour . The relief was enormous and was manifested by the
delights of the travelling support and not least Greg himself who quietly
celebrated in the corner. The try was converted by Pete Taylor and the
referee blew the final whistle.
This was a match to remember and a gutsy
performance by every member of the High School team.
The teams left the pitch to the appreciative claps of both
home and away supporters with Randalstown showing their sporting
congratulations to the visiting team.
Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
