High School travelled to Monaghan for this league encounter in the knowledge that to keep League promotion hopes alive a win was essential. With the loss of Derek Wilson through injury Chris Kitchen slotted into outhalf , Michael Boyd came in at fullback and Kyle Brown took up position on the wing. The Monaghan pitch was in reasonable condition and the overhead conditions were poor with frequent showers providing a slippy surface and greasy ball.

The game got underway with High School scoring the first points after only 7 minutes of play. An early try by winger Neil Hastings from a lengthy run combined with an excellent conversion from Pete Taylor saw the High School take the initial plaudits with the signs looking good for the remainder of the match.

The Monaghan team though worked their way back into the game and honours were fairly even for the next 20 minutes. Both teams were doing well in the loose although High School were guilty of being turned over on a couple of occasions. The High School scrum and lineout was functioning well but movement in the backs was laboured and not as free flowing as has been seen on other occasions during the season.

The next points came from Monaghan who scored a converted try on 28 minutes and with both teams now even on points the early promise from the High School faded.

High School continued to try and move the ball but at this stage conditions were not at all favourable for good running rugby with rain and wind both facing the School team. The High School pack however continued to battle against the strong Monaghan eight and with Pete Taylor and Davy Scott leading from the front ably supported by Ben Hanvey and the roving Davy Hanna, sufficient good ball was secured to enable the High School backs to attack the Monaghan backline. Unfortunately High School suffered a bad blow virtually on the Half Time whistle when Monaghan scored a try solely due to poor cover tackling when the winger managed to squeeze past four attempts to put him in touch. The try was unconverted.

HALF  TIME      MONAGHAN  12     -     5   BHSFP 

The second half kicked off with High School still very much in the game. Both teams were intent on securing the next points which it was felt would go a long way to determining the outcome of the match. Play was much the same as in the first half with High School winning good ball but guilty of making basic errors in decision making  combined with poor handling which led to Monaghan generally taking the upper hand in this period.

A series of penalties in the second half saw Monaghan putting a further 6 points on their tally against the High School 3 . High School however continued to fight hard but just couldn’t get their normal rhythm going which was frustrating the players who knew that very little could turn the game.

Unfortunately the clincher came after 20 minutes of the half when Monaghan scored a further try from handling errors by High School which resulted in the Monaghan winger having a free run to the line. The try was unconverted.  

The game was disrupted after 25 minutes of play when yellow cards were handed out to both the Monaghan fullback and the High School centre Phil McKeown. During this period High School continued to try and run the ball on the occasions when good possession was available. The continued pressure payed dividends when solid work by the pack brought the High School to the Monaghan 22 where a penalty was awarded . The ball was quickly moved wide to Neil Hastings who characteristically stormed over the line for his second try of the day on 28 minutes. The try was unconverted.

The game continued to the final whistle without further score although the High School did not give up and finished the stronger team at the end of the game.

With four League games left there is still plenty to do and with Lurgan away next week another hard match can be expected.

FINAL SCORE    MONAGHAN   23    -    15  BHSFP

Labor Ipse Voluptas

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Last modified: January 17, 2005