Ballymoney 23 v 6 BHSFP

On a cool but dry and bright day High School travelled to Ballymoney for this league encounter in the knowledge they would face the toughest challenge of the season so far.  

Ballymoney kicked off with the stiff breeze in their favour but their pack who were initially thought to be their strong point suffered an unexpected setback when High School gained early territory through a wheeled scrum . The High School eight dominated play in the first quarter and in general were unlucky not to put some early points on the board . Despite this the first scoring opportunity fell to Ballymoney much against the run of play when a penalty award resulted in the No 10 converting to make the score 3  - 0. 

With High School still in the driving seat and showing all the commitment, a good scoring opportunity came to nothing following an excellent passage of play when the final pass went to ground. This was to signal a change when Ballymoney came back into the game with some good rucking and mauling by their committed eight. This was soon awarded with a try to the Ballymoney winger who accepted the ball from a ruck to go over . The try was converted ( 10 – 3 ). 

For the next 15 minutes both teams exchanged a series of penalties with Tim Murphy adding a further 3 points to the High School tally ( 10 – 6 ). It was clear though that Ballymoney had identified the High School backline as the main threat giving them little or no room to move. Despite this Jonny Mayne and Co. attempted to move the ball out of defence and into attack on a number of occasions and certainly caused some consternation in the Ballymoney ranks in the process. 

HALF  TIME             BALLYMONEY 15      6 BHSFP

The second half got underway with Ballymoney taking the initiative and putting a further 3 points on the board within 4 minutes of play ( 18  -  6 ). 

With the High School scrum functioning well honours in this dept were even but the backline continued to receive little clean quality ball from other areas to demonstrate their abilities . The lineout was not up to par and the lack of possession from this crucial area made it much more difficult to provide the attacking platform needed to stretch the home side defence. 

With the home side reduced to 14 men the game ebbed and flowed with High School valiantly trying to claw their way back into the game and on a couple of occasions unlucky not to score the important try as reward for their efforts. 

It was Ballymoney though who struck again after a sustained period of pressure by the visitors came to nothing as Ballymoney scored a further try after some poor defending and missed tackles by High School. The try was unconverted bringing the score to 23  6  after 35 minutes of play. 

Having had numerous stoppages in this half the referee played almost 8 minutes of injury time but neither side was able to amend the scoreline. 

This was a frustrating day for High School who were not allowed to get into their normal game by a strong and committed Ballymoney side. However, Ballymoney will not relish the return leg as they can expect High School to do all possible to even the score.

President , Tony Montgomery and the members of the High School Committee who availed of the excellent Ballymoney hospitality both before and after the game would wish to express their thanks to Joe Tannahill and Ballymoney RFC.