| High School welcomed the 'red sox' to the
sports club for this top of the table clash. The school fielded a strong
but perhaps inexperienced team with only El Syd and Ian Elliot boosting
the average age. The Westland brothers were replaced by Ali Best in
the second row and Davy Wright debuting at No8. Alan Magee started his
first game of the season having been lost in Peru since August. The
untried flanking ( thats 'fl') duo of Thompson and McRitchie concluded the
changes.
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| The much heavier Malone pack came to the fore straight from
the kick-off pressurising the High School srcummage. Indeed for the first
quarter of an hour only spirited High School defence prevented any scoring
opportunities. Encamped in the School '22' the first score looked
inevitable but from a dropped ball in the centre Ian Elliot cleaned up,
evaded the cover and outpaced the defence to score under the posts.
Pressure was relieved and High School were unexpectedly ahead. Kyle Brown
converted. |
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| However the lead was short lived and Malone
attacked with renewed vigour. After 20 minutes and several blatant
crossings in midfield the Malone three-quarter back ( a remarkably large
chap for a centre) touched down in the corner. The try was well converted
to tie the scores. |
| Again Malone attacked straight from the restart pushing play
into the High School half. Inexplicably the School lost line-out
possession after a good take by Tom McAlistar at four. In the ensuing
frustration a penalty was conceded and with Malone looking for early
points against the lighter and more mobile opposition the three points
were taken.
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| Further High School misdemeanors and some good work at the
front of the line-out by Malone saw the red sox extend the lead through
another penalty on 35 minutes - Ali Best judged to be coming in on the
wrong side of a ruck ( not like him - mmmmm....).
Six points down, all did not look lost for the School as half time
beckoned. However with at least 44 mins on the clock Malone took full
advantage of the added time and once again crashed over in the centre. The
try was converted.
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Half - time : BHSFP 2's 7 v 20 Malone 4's
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| High School rallied in the second half but couldn't secure
sufficient good ball. The half backs Andy McCormack and Kyle Brown
were continuously under pressure. Rory Beattie on at half time for Ali
Best bolstered the pack but the loss of Stuart Thompson after only 7
minutes was the final straw.
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| Malone capitalised on their forward dominance
scoring off a rolling maul on the quarter hour. The conversion was missed.
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| Practically straight from the restart a well placed chip
ahead put the Malone winger in to touch down in the corner. The extra
points were missed. |
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| With the game ebbing away Ian Elliot in his trade mark
fashion tried everything to get High School back in the ascendency. Now
having to run all possession a well placed chip and chase put the Malone
midfield on the back foot. After a series of tap penalties on the Malone
line the pressure was converted into points in the unlikely form of Mark
Marno who like a phoenix from the ashes arose from the incisive driving
maul with ball in hand. He'll talk you through it .
Kyle Brown converted in his usual effortless style.
A further Malone penalty sealed the game |
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Full - time : BHSFP 2's 14 v 33 Malone 4's
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