| This
important league game for both teams was played at the Academy grounds at
Roughfort. The underfoot conditions were excellent and the day was dry but
blustery. |
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| A couple of injury enforced
changes from the previous week on the High School team saw
John Balmer taking over the hooking role, Jordan Frampton moving to
outhalf , Greg Elliott coming into the second row and Gareth Adams taking
the wing position. |
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| The
game started with both teams probing the opposition defence. Neither side
seemed to have a particular overall edge although High School clearly had
the advantage in the scrums as was shown early on. Both packs were roughly
equal in size but High School had better technique and disrupted the
Academy scrum throughout the game. |
| It wasn’t
until 10 minutes had elapsed that the first scoring opportunity came the
way of High School. Consistent pressure in the Academy half resulted in a
scrum on the Academy 22 , The ball was won cleanly and moved swiftly to
the right. A miss pass in the centre allowed winger Neil Hastings to
collect cleanly and go in for a well taken try.The conversion was missed. |
| This score seemed to stir
Academy into action and they retaliated almost immediately with a try on
12 minutes. This came from a chip through which crossed the High School
line. High School were caught slightly flat footed and Academy touched
down for the try. The conversion was missed. |
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| With the score
level both teams fought hard to get the upper hand. The High School
forwards were functioning well as a unit with the back row again to the
fore. The backline were moving well with the ball in hand and with a
plentiful supply forthcoming this allowing them to run at the Academy
defence. For their part the Academy backline seemed nervous in defence and
on a number of occasions fumbled the ball allowing High School to take
ground advantage. |
| The next points
came from Academy whose forwards fought hard upfront and ensured that the
opportunities to score were always going to be there. After a period of
pressure Academy were awarded a penalty in the High School half which was
duly converted putting them in the lead for the first time in the match. |
| With the match finely
balanced the next score was going to be crucial. The score came on 24
minutes from High School who pressured the opposition defence and
capitalised on a loose pass between two Academy backs who again fumbled
near their own line. Control of the ball was lost and Phil McKeown was on
hand to touch down for the try. Peter Taylor converted. |
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|
This try deflated Academy and
within two minutes High School were again on the scoresheet . This time
the try came of the top of a lineout where Greg Elliott was winning some
excellent clean ball. The ball was moved swiftly to the centre where Ian
Elliott came through on a great angle to bisect the Academy defence and
touch down under the posts. Peter Taylor again converted.
There
was one further penalty opportunity to Academy before half time but the
chance to close the gap was missed.
|
| HALF
TIME ACADEMY
8 -
19 BHSFP |
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|
The
second half started with High School defending their territory for the
first 10 minutes as Academy, clearly stung by the half time score came out
intent on getting early points. The High School scrum was not as effective
as in the first half but still more than held their own. Academy took
advantage of a run of penalty decisions in their favour and on a number of
occasions threatened the High School line. The High School defence was
sound and with Jonny Mayne taking control at the base of the scrum the
ball was cleared away on every occasion.
|
 |
|
After this initial period in the second half High
School worked their way back into the Academy half took play to within 5
metres of the Academy line. A line out awarded to High School again saw
clean ball secured and an excellent catch and drive ensue. With the ball
in his hands at the back of the maul Stephen Morton was always going to
score. This was a very well worked try ( on 15 minutes ) for High School
which brought them to 24 points ( conversion missed ) and clear of Academy
|
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| The
remainder of the game saw periods of attack and defence from both teams .
The Academy cause was not helped when after 25 minutes of the half they
lost a prop who was yellow carded. The usual period of uncontested scrums
followed and when the Academy player was restored to the pitch the game
was beyond the reach of the home team. |
| The
game finished with a sound win to High School who dominated most of the
play and deserved to come out
on top in what was a contest played in good spirit in front of a healthy
number of vociferous supporters for both teams. |
| Next
week its CAVAN at home. |
|
| Labor Ipse Voluptas.
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