BHSFP  53 v 8 Lurgan

This was the penultimate League encounter of the season and a must win game for High School in order to maintain their position as League Leaders. With Lurgan travelling to Greenisland on a reasonable day a game of open running rugby was anticipated by the large band of supporters who had enjoyed an excellent pre match lunch in the clubhouse . 

With a number of High School players out with long term injuries ( Davy Henry , Paul Shaw and Paul Lavery ) and with Jonny Price unavailable for the match , coach Davy Scott installed Greg Elliott and Jonny Terret in the second row and drafted the “experienced” Ian Elliott into the back row as replacements . 

This uncharacteristic start by High School did not cause any undue concern and within a few minutes the home side were well into the game against the usual physical Lurgan pack. Good work by the forwards early on secured some decent ball which allowed the backline to start probing the Lurgan defence. It was fairly even in the first minutes of the game but with High School venturing into Lurgan territory the referee awarded a penalty and with Tim Murphy making sure of the points the home side were now on the scoreboard after seven minutes of play. 

For the next period of the game Lurgan found themselves pinned in their own territory through good work by backs and forwards alike. With Greg Elliott securing every lineout and Stephen Morton physical as ever it wasn’t long before the first try was secured . Taking the opportunity to put the ball into the corner the points came from a good catch and drive with Morty at the back as usual to secure the try. The try was not converted. 

High school were now in front but the visitors were determined to make their mark and continued to battle hard in the forward pack . It was nip and tuck for the next period until the High School again moved into Lurgan space and this time it was a superb clinical move by the backs which proved decisive as Tim Murphy cut through the defence for the try which he converted.

As the game progressed and with the Home side in the driving seat the Lurgan pack continued to play their usual aggressive forward game and briefly moved into the High School 22 where they controlled the play for a short period. Unfortunately it was during this period that influential High School centre David Mayne suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury. As a result David was ferried to the hospital by ambulance following good on field assistance by Ken McBride and the visiting Lurgan Physio whose help was greatly appreciated.   

With the game getting under way after a break of 30 minutes Lurgan secured the next points through a penalty award as they continued to pressure the home defence. With the game now swinging in favour of Lurgan they continued to exert considerable pressure within the High School 22 who were now playing with 14 men. Great defensive work by backs and forwards alike ensured the try line was not breached and with the game drawing towards half time a great breakout and try relieved the pressure and almost instantly changed the complexion of the game. The try came as Tim Murphy collected the ball virtually on his own line. Breaking through the initial tackle he passed to Chris Kitchen who made the decisive break and with a quick pass to Morty, who was now in the clear with only 70 metres to run, the points were secured. Tim Murphy secured an excellent conversion as the game stopped for half time.   

HALF  TIME    -      BHSFP  22        -        8  LURGAN

Having struck a decisive blow just as half time approached  the High School started the second half very positively.  The pack began to take control in ruck and maul and with |Davy Scott , Peter Taylor , Jonny Terret and Andy Morrison hitting everything that moved the visitors were regularly finding themselves on the wrong end of the referees whistle. Continual infringement gave High School ample opportunities to run at the Lurgan defence and with the second half only a few minutes old Chris Kitchen glided through for an excellent try after receiving a great pass following the break by Captain Jonny Mayne. Tim Murphy converted.

The next try again came from a ruck situation when the High School forwards secured clean ball which was moved wide to Jordan Frampton. With the gap opening in front of him and the visiting defence stretched to the limit Jordy headed for the line and another try in the bag. Converted by Tim Murphy. 

As the game moved towards the final quarter the High School backs continued to run the show with the Lurgan defence now being threatened on every occasion the home team had the ball in hand. Before the game finished  two further converted tries were scored . Firstly Chris Kitchen secured his second of the day when he was put through by a sweet pass from Tim Murphy. And secondly it was the turn of Jonny Mayne who cut through the Lurgan defence following a nice show of the ball to create the gap and  secure the points.

With High School now well ahead the referee decided to bring the game to a close some 10 minutes early.

This was a most impressive display by the High School who accumulated 53 points having been reduced to thirteen men against a strong Lurgan team . Both backs and forwards produced the goods when needed showing that notwithstanding the loss of players out through injury strength in depth is critical and allows the team to perform . Good displays by Ian Elliott , Jonny Terret and Greg Elliott were crucial in securing the points in this must win match. Additionally a personal haul of 28 points by Tim Murphy capped an execllent day at the office for the outhalf.

Next Week its away to Monaghan for both the Firsts and Seconds so secure your place on the bus for the final league game of the season for the 1^st XV.

FINAL  SCORE      BHSFP  53    -    8   LURGAN