On a calm day with dry overhead conditions High
School welcomed Academy to Greenisland for what promised to be a close
encounter between the two local rivals. The game had an extra edge as High
School had already beaten Academy at Roughfort earlier in the season. The
High School team showed a number of changes from the previous week
following the loss of Davy Hanna and Stephen Morton. Mark Lambe returned
to the second row with Graham Scott slotting into the back row. In the
backline Barry Taylor returned at fullback and Chris Kitchen came into the
centre. An excellent supporting crowd turned up to watch the game and as
usual the match programme ( sponsored by Mc Murtry’s ) was read with
avid interest.
The game was only 4 minutes old when Academy had the
first scoring opportunity from a penalty within kicking range. The
opportunity was missed but within a couple of minutes the first points
were on the board when the Academy backs broke through a slack High School
defence for the try in the corner. The conversion was missed.
High School hit back and gained themselves a penalty
after 8 minutes of play but this was missed . However High School had
recovered their composure from the earlier try and were competing well in
both the scrum and lineout Honours were fairly even in open play but an
injury to John Balmer after 15 minutes saw him temporarily leave the field
. As often happens though High School struck when a man down . Good
rucking saw the ball move to Jordan Frampton who went in under the posts
for the first High School points of the day. Peter Taylor converted.
With John Balmer restored to the pack High School
started to dominate the play up front winning good ball for the backline
to run at Academy. The scrums in particular were effective at this stage
with the High School eight completely controlling this aspect of the game.
Despite good defensive work the Academy try line was breached again after
26 minutes when the busy Gareth McManus charged down an attempted
clearance , picked up and finished with a well taken try. The conversion
was missed.
The High School front row were now well in charge and
were ably supported by the back row who cleaned up well in the ruck and at
the base of the scrum . The backline was well marshalled by Derek Wilson
who was having a good game creating space for the runners to attack
Academy and it was Derek who put the next points on the board after 30
minutes. Good interchange handling by the backs saw the ball start and
finish up with Derek who sprinted over the line for the try which was
unconverted.
Although High School were now well ahead the score
line could have reflected a greater margin in favour of the home team as
on a couple of occasions retaining the ball in hand would have been a
better option than kicking with a potential point scoring opportunity
looming.
With 3 minutes of the half to go High School moved
further into the lead through a well struck penalty by Peter Taylor.
HALF TIME
BHSFP 20
- 5 ACADEMY
The second half got underway with Academy needing to
create some opportunities to try and reduce the deficit in the score.
Unfortunately after only 5 minutes of the half High School were again
reduced to 14 men when Davy Scott had to leave the field to have a nasty
cut to the eyebrow attended to. Davy returned 7 minutes later with no
score added during this period during which uncontested scrums were
introduced.
For the first period of the half High School
continued where they left off but were unable to add to the score line due
to good defensive work by Academy. As the half progressed Academy began to
dominate the loose play . High School continued to do well in the scrum
and lineout but seemed to take the foot of the gas and allow Academy to
take control of the game. The High School back line were not getting the
ball they had in the first half and were unable to effectively threaten
the Academy defence .
After 30 minutes of the half Academy capitalised on
the situation and scored from a period of loose play . The try was
converted.
With the bit between the teeth Academy continued to
threaten High School for the remainder of the half with the next points
coming from a penalty to bring the scoreline to BHS 20
15 Academy. The scene
was now set for a nail biting finish with the supporters from both sides
roaring on their respective teams.
With time moving on and only a few minutes left on
the clock Academy managed to score in the corner following a line out and
subsequent maul . The conversion from near the touchline was secured by
the Academy kicker to place the visiting team 2 points ahead with the game
ebbing away. High School fought hard for the last couple of minutes but
were unable to gain field position to enable a last gasp penalty or drop
goal opportunity to arise.
The final whistle blew with Academy having secured
the points and High School frustrated at losing a game which they had in
the bag at half time.
The Season Of Good Will To All Men came just a couple
of weeks early at Greenisland !!
FINAL SCORE
BHSFP 20
- 22 ACADEMY
Thanks to Peter and Barry’s Mum for the excellent
stew after the game.
Next week its Larne away
Labor Ipse Voluptas
