| With the GWMSC club house
undergoing major renovations and the availability of a hot shower non
existent this game against PSNI was moved to the School grounds on what
was a perfect day for open running rugby.
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This was an important
game for High School and a must win situation in order to maintain their
position at the top of the league. Having not played for the past two
weeks the team took the field with a couple of enforced changes. With
David Mayne continuing his recovery from an ankle injury and Neil Hastings
thought to have been unavailable Derek Wilson came in at fullback and Alan
Magee received a well deserved call up from the seconds to take up the
wing berth. Also coming up from the seconds after some good displays
recently was Jonny Price who stepped into the back row for the injured
Paul Lavery. Davy Scott continues his development at prop and is improving
all the time!
With the PSNI side
showing a number of changes from the away fixture earlier in the season
the game got underway with both sides showing well in the opening
encounters. The PSNI pack was large and bulky as usual and would provide a
formidable challenge to the High School pack but it was clear from the
start that the High School scrum was not going to be pushed around as
easily as in the last encounter.
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The PSNI side seemed to
have the better of the initial exchanges with the High School side showing
signs of their two weeks without a competitive game. Dominating field
position gave the Police an early penalty opportunity after 8 minutes of
play and within two minutes of that a converted try by the visitors saw
them take a 10 point lead . The try came from a breakdown in play in the
centre of the field and an error by Jordan Frampton in trying to clear the
ball. This was to be Jordans last mistake of the day as he went on to
score three tries in the game in an excellent display of running rugby by
the winger .
High
School were relatively unphased by finding themselves behind at this point
in the game . They knew that once the rustiness was overcome the
opportunities would arise as the game went on. The first of these came
after 12 minutes of play when a penalty opportunity was missed but as play
continued the forward pack were controlling the play better and making
clean ball available for the backline. The scrums were solid and the
lineouts were functioning particularly well with Andy Morrison having an
excellent match at number 8.
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High School got their
first points on the board after 20 minutes when Jordan Frampton ran in at
the corner. This followed an excellent handling move by the backs from
ball secured at a ruck 25 metres from the PSNI line. Tim Murphy hit an
excellent conversion to bring High School within 3 points of the PSNI
total.
As
play continued it was nip and tuck up front with neither set of forwards
stepping back. The newcomer to the back row , Jonny Price was revelling in
the conditions as was Stephen Morton who challenged the visitors every
step of the way. This approach soon paid of again when “Jordy” went in
for his second score of the day after 27 minutes of play . Having secured
a penalty a quick tap and move left saw the ball travel smoothly through
the hands to the wing where Jordan finished off in style. Although the
conversion was missed High School were now in front and were starting to
play the better rugby. However, as said earlier the big PSNI pack were not
going to lie down and as the game moved to half time neither side was able
to add to the scoreline although High School did have a couple of
opportunities.
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HALF
TIME
BHSFP 12
- 10 PSNI
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Early points were
important as the second half got underway and it was High School who took
the initiative after 4 minutes of the half securing an excellent try by
Alan Magee . This followed good ball from the forwards which was spun wide
to Alan who finished the move well to take High School further ahead and
more importantly create a cushion for the home team to build on at this
stage in the match. The conversion was missed.
With the large and very
knowledgeable supporting crowd sensing that the High School side were
getting well into the swing of things the home team stepped up a gear
sensing that the game was there for the taking if further quick points
could be secured. With pressure mounting on the PSNI team they conceded
ground allowing High School to mount an attack to the corner of the pitch.
The resultant catch and drive was well defended by the PSNI pack but a
switch in play saw the ball moved sweetly across the pitch to Jordan
Frampton who touched down for his third of the day. The conversion was
missed.
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The visitors were now
under considerable pressure as the home side drew further away . The home
defence had gelled well in this half with Chris Kitchen and Phil McKeown
working closely together in the centre. Defensively the back line was very
sound with the PSNI backs getting no change whatsoever from the aggressive
physical nature of the High School play. The PSNI scrumhalf was however a
handful at times as he continually probed around the fringes and on a
couple of occasions made some good telling breaks. This combination along
with the continued work by the PSNI pack saw the visitors challenge again
and score what was a rather dubious try with 13 minutes of the half gone.
The conversion was missed and the visitors were back in the game with only
7 points separating the teams.
In the knowledge that
PSNI were in danger of drawing level High School went on the attack again
scoring an excellent try in the corner by Alan Magee . This followed good
work by Scrum Half and Captain Jonny Mayne who fed to Tim Murphy who in
turn made excellent ground with a strong surging run before off loading to
his backline for the try. The conversion was missed.
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Not content with scoring
two tries Alan Magee secured his third of the day some three minutes later
when he again crossed the line following great surging play by the pack.
With the play breaking down quick thinking by Jonny Mayne moved the ball
to the left giving Alan the touchdown opportunity. The conversion was
missed. This capped a good display by Alan following his call up from the
seconds.
As
the game moved into the final quarter High School were now well in front
and were to add further to the score when the hard working Jonny Price ,
who by this stage was carrying an earlier injury , found himself free in
the middle of the pitch having broken through a maul. There was only one
way to go and pinning the ears back Jonny sprinted for the line pursued by
three covering PSNI players. With the cheers of the home support willing
him on Jonny made the whitewash to secure the points in determined
fashion. With Tim Murphy not having one of his best days with the kicking
tee Pete Taylor stepped up to take the conversion from the far touchline .
The points were secured and Pete took a deep breath in relief.
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Unfortunately the injury
to Jonny Price forced him off the pitch after 33 minutes of the half. The
visitors soon took advantage of the depleted home side and secured a
further five points with the game drawing to a close. Continued pressure
by the visitors saw the High School defending strongly in the last five
minutes but good work by Pete Taylor , Davy Scott et al saw the door
closed on any further PSNI points as the referee blew the final whistle.
This was a good display
by the High School side who after a shaky start came together to mount a
display of good attacking running rugby coupled with strong team work and
defensive strength.
Next
week its Monaghan at home in the cup . Hopefully the showers at GWMSC will
be working and the game can be played at Greenisland. As usual all support
is welcomed by the players and officials.
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FINAL
SCORE BHSFP 39
- 20
PSNI
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Labor
Ipse Voluptas |
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