On a blustery afternoon at Greenisland, the 2nd XV played
host to Ophir II`s. The game started with some vigorous play from the
larger and more experienced Ophir pack. However, after the first, frantic
flurry of exchanges, the`school` settled down and got the measure of the
Mallusk side, using the wind to push the ball into the left corner of
their opponents `22`, forcing a knock forward from the Ophir full-back.
From the ensuing `scrum-down`, the youthful `school` pack
demonstrated their organization by securing the ball and inviting a
suprisingly upbeat Jonny Territt to break from the base and power over the
line, opening his account. Kyle Brown added the bonus with a difficult
kick into the remnants of `Hurricane Ivan`. With confidence now flowing,
the `school' took every opportununity to take the game into Ophir`s half
putting the visitors on the back foot. In a contesting day for line-outs,
the `school` second rows Tom McAllister and Brian `Bungle` McGreal, put
aside their GCSE worries and concentrated on winning every ball to release
the exciting backs who seemed more than a match for Ophir.
After testing the Ophir three-quarter line on several occasions, the
time felt right to test Ian Patterson in his new position as centre. Paddy
was not found wanting when receiving a quick pass from Kyle he stormed
through the Ophir defence to place the ball below the posts. This time the
elements prevented Kyle from converting, leaving the home-side leading
12-0.
The score appeared to rejuvenate Ophir who used their veteran forwards
to push into the `school' half and encamp at the 22`. But one
push too far allowed BHSFP to recycle the new Gilbert ball into the hands
of captain Andy McCormick who just stayed in touch to sprint 50 yards
along the wing before releasing a deft `grubber` in-field which was
collected by the supporting Davy Wright who put the ball over for the
`High school`s third try. Again the wind proved too much far Kyle.
After the break and spurred on by great support from the home
alickadoos, the school continued where they had left off, pressurizing the
Ophir defences at every chance, with the forwards proving their worth with
great individual tries from Jonny Territt, Gregg Weir and an astonishing
30yd sprint by 6`13" Brian McGreal, each one added to by a newly
confident Kyle.
With the game nearing it`s conclusion and with Ophir heads flagging,
2nd row Territt found himself wide open and within 4 metres from the
goal-line with the ball in his hands. However, the fear of buying a `jug`
forced him to slip the ball to full-back Sidlow
Brown who, after an outrageous dummy pass to veteran Wilf Rhodes,
gratefully dived over for his first try in club rugby. Kyles 2 points
finished off a satisfying victory for BHSFP 2nds with the referee blowing
for full-time.
Final score : BHSFP 45- Ophir 3.
Team: G. Fowles, P. Lavery, T. McKernon, T. McAllister, B.
McGreal, G. Weir, J. Price, J. Territt, A. McCormick (Capt.), K. Brown, R.
Lavery, G. Adams, I. Patterson, D. Wright, S. Brown, W. Rhodes.
Subs (not used) N. Smythe, K. Hutchinson.
Tries. I.Patterson, D. Wright, J. Territt (2), B. McGreal, S.
Brown, G.
Weir
Cons:K. Brown (5)
