| Conditions couldn't have been better as the seconds
welcomed Ballyclare to the sports club fernenst the Knockagh. With
injuries to Wilf Rhodes, Neill Patrick and El Sid it was a much
changed team from previous weeks. Colin James came in at centre, the
Terret into the back row and Ali Best in the second row. Paul Lavery lost
his usual flanker position but proved resolute at centre. |
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| The game had barely begun when after 4 minutes High School
took play into the Clare half and with few options available Kyle Brown
dropped a goal from 25 metres out. High school continued to dominate
especially in the scrum with Murno and McKernon providing a solid platform
in the front row. Indeed it was from a scrummage that provided the next
points on the quarter hour. With the drive restricted to 1 metre
Westland's timely pick up and drive from a Greg Fowles strike against the
head saw the big man crash over from close range. The try was converted.
Meanwhile on the touch-line John Fields combined his assessing duties
with match programme sales. Support this week was bolstered by the return
of Andy McNickle - he was immediately asked for subs to cover his period
of absence.
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| Ballyclare made an enforced change on 17 minutes with the
tight head prop going off . The scrums however remained contested. High
school maintained their early pressure with Kyle Brown kicking well for
position aided by some dodgy ball skills form the Clare wingers and
full-back (much to the amusement of the assembled support.) Indeed it was
from a fumbled high ball on the half hour that provided the next scoring
opportunity. From a solid scum two metres out Westland once again
picked up and drove across the line for his second of the afternoon. The
try was converted.
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HALF TIME: BHSFP 2'S 17 V 0 BALLYCLARE 5'S
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Tactical substitution at the interval saw the return of Chris 'the wog'
McRitchie having completed another term at borstal. Westland N. looked
relieved to be off with the pack rearranging themselves to fill the second
row spot with McRitchie takiing his normal place on the wing.
Someone must have moved into the pack from the backs but the half time
transition was so seamless that it escaped the normally attentive
support. The second half began where the first half had finished
with High School dominating but there were signs that Ballyclare were
clawing their way back into the game.
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| However, the game was put beyond doubt 9 minutes into the
half. A defensive clearance from Clare was gathered by Lavery R. who made
good ground up the centre but was held up short of the line. The ensuing
ruck was won cleanly and with a full back line screaming for the ball a
typical sniping scrum half dart for the line brought the third try. This
was just rewards for Andy McCormack who had put in a solid performance at
scrum half. The try was converted.
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| Ballyclare rallied after this try with some rumbling
forward play with James , Lavery P. and Terret putting in the hard
defensive tackles. The try looked inevitable and 20 minutes into the half
Ballyclare rumbled in for a score in the corner. The conversion was
missed. At this point the game started to open up with the High school
backs coming more into play. Davy Wright and 'the Wog' both made
good runs with Davy Wright unlucky to get tap tackled when he had broken
through the Clare defence. On 27 minutes Lavery P. and James combined well
in the centre but were held up close to the line, the ball bobbled out of
the ruck to be picked up by Davy Wright coming in from the wing who had an
easy touch down to seal the points. The conversion was missed. |
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| The game more or less fizzled out after the half hour High
School having secured the points |
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FULL TIME: BHSFP 2'S 29 V 5 BALLYCLARE 5'S
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