Ballyclare
welcomed High School to the ‘Cloughan’ in what can only be described
as a bleak afternoon. High
Schools injury problems continued with Wilf Rhodes the latest victim (
suspected misadventure - its all a bit secretive - like Rhodes himself.)
The hearse in the car
park was an early indication of ‘Rhodesy’s’ replacement – none
other than Count Peter Haveron AKA 'Bones' deported from the mainland for
the weekend (full anti-social behaviour order pending). The ‘Count’
(that’s with an ‘o’) sported in true Barbarian style his Birkmyre
Club colours, slotting in seamlessly at full back.
Both
sides wisely decided not to take to the field early doors for the
traditional warm-up. This gave Bones plenty of time to relive his rugby
achievements - which coincidentally started 31 years previous at ‘The
Cloughan’ in that vintage 73/74 season.
It was with some relief therefore that the referee finally called
both teams to brave the elements; David Scott in particular having lost
the will to live.
With
a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch Clare opted to play into the
wind and with conditions underfoot soggy in the extreme it was important
that High School built a first half lead. However all did not go to plan.
Clare
got their tactics spot on, maintaining forward possession and punching
their way up the midfield. It paid dividends when High School fringed once
too often at the side of a ruck; the ensuing penalty being moved wide for
a score in the corner after ten minutes.
The conversion into the wind was missed.
High
School rallied and the rest of the half and indeed the rest of the game
was played on or about the opposing 22m line.
With the wind making the line-out a lottery and conditions
underfoot rendering scrummaging impossible, the game descended to the
muddy depthes of ‘bleakdom’. The
School however needed to score given the prevailing conditions and it was
with relief that after continuous pressure a try finally came on
22minutes. This was a bizarre event in itself: the Clare centre kicking
the ball from behind his own goal line straight against the post
protector; where Chris Snoddy was on hand to apply downward pressure on
the ball – it having conveniently landed at his feet.
Colin James converted to put High School into the lead.
Half
Time : Ballyclare 5 v 7 BHSFP
The
High School support –some having previously split ranks to watch from
the clubhouse – dwindled further at half time. With internationals to
look forward to and the game not exactly a spectacle, it was a case of,
‘f*** this for a game of soldiers.’ - leaving only the hardiest to
heckle the troops.
Against
the wind high risk rugby was the order of the day as High School tried to
run the ball out of defence - only to find themselves continually pinned
back through some good tactical kicking by Clare. Only excellent
positional placement of the two wings by ‘Bones’ at full-back saved
him from having to do too much let alone tackle anyone. Indeed it wasn’t
until the 55th minute that the School full-back went into a
ruck. It later transpired that this was his was his first ruck
(that’s with an ‘r’) for over two years and it was with some
contentment that Bones emerged from the pile up – the whole male bonding
thing to his liking.
With
Gareth McKeague replacing ‘the pixelator’ at scrum half and ‘el sid’
slipping into wing forward, the half time changes paid no dividends
whatsoever. No team scored, nor looked like scoring and the game
progressed into private battles – mostly in the front row - Fowles in
particular being particularly annoying to his opposite number, the locks,
the ref and a number of his team mates.
Fittingly
‘Bones’ had the last say in deciding the result, fielding a dangerous
cross kick from the Clare out-half and finding his touch into the
strengthening wind. The referee called time and High School notched up
another vital league win.
Full
Time : Ballyclare 5 v 7 BHSFP
Next
game - Holywood at home.
Labor
Ipse Voluptas
