With weather conditions perfect for a game of rugby
High School welcomed Civil Service to a rather dishevelled Greenisland War
Memorial Club which is presently undergoing major refurbishment.
This was the first home game of the new year and as
is the case every week a considerable number of supporters turned out to
watch in anticipation of some free flowing rugby from the unchanged High
School XV. The crowd were not to be disappointed as with the match only 4
minutes old the score board recorded the first points of the game, a try
to High School through a superb break and show of the ball from Tim
Murphy. Unfortunately he failed to convert his try but the writing was on
the wall for Civil Service.
The High School pack dominated this match in every
facet from start to finish thus providing the free running backline with
the ammunition to attack the Civil Service defence as they did at every
opportunity. With the Civil Service line under considerable pressure the
next try resulted from great rugby and interplay between backs and
forwards. The try was scored by David Mayne who sliced through the Service
defence like the proverbial knife through butter following 5 phases of
play by the forward pack . Tim Murphy converted.
With the High School half back pairing of Jonny Mayne
and Tim Murphy orchestrating everything the ball was continually on the
move and it was no surprise when 7 minutes later the next try was scored.
With the forwards showing the backs some skills with ball in hand Neil
Hastings eventually ended up crossing the line for a well taken try
converted by Tim Murphy. At this point Paul Lavery who was struggling with
a shoulder injury briefly left the field but quickly returned to continue
the fray.
For their part Service did not roll over but
continued to fight hard and received some reward when they were presented
with a relatively easy penalty chance 30 minutes into the half.
Unfortunately the kick was missed which did little for the visiting sides
confidence at this stage.
The score board continued to tick over at regular
intervals and on 35 minutes David Mayne went in for his second try of the
day when the ball emerged from a ruck situation straight to David who as
usual needed no second chance. Tim Murphy converted well.
Forwards and backs were by now combining at every
opportunity. In the forward pack the back row were outstanding as was the
second row combination of Paul Shaw and Davy Henry who was having his best
game of the season and is learning fast both in tight and loose. As for
the front row the Service pack had little answer to their strength and
technique and time and again were pushed of the ball .
As the game moved towards half time a further try was
scored, this time by the Jean Pierre Rives doppleganger Stephen Morton
from a classic catch and drive situation. The conversion was missed.
HALF TIME
BHSFP 31
- 0 CIVIL
SERVICE
As the watching crowd anticipated further points in
the second half High School kicked off heading seawards. The half started
well for the home team who within ten minutes of the restart scored again.
This time the Service defence had been defending well but the dyke
crumbled as the High School pack picked the ball and drove continually.
Finally a short pop up from Jonny Mayne to the waiting Pete Taylor saw the
big prop crash over for the points. Tim Murphy again converted.
Some 5 minutes later Neil Hastings went over for his second try of the day , again the product
of some efficient handling by the backs and good finishing by Straks who
as usual gave the visiting defence plenty to think about. The conversion
was missed.
Within a further 2 minutes David Mayne completed his
hat trick with a well taken try from good handling by backs and forwards
alike. Unfortunately for his father Ken it meant another Jug enjoyed by
all.
With Tim Murphy converting the last try and High
School clearly in an unassailable lead Civil Service were not helped when
their No 13 had to leave the field for a blood injury . High School
capitalised on the situation right away when Tim Murphy scored what was a
try right out of the top drawer. The try was made by a superb break and
work with the hands by Chris Kitchen who had attacked and tackled like a
Trojan all day. With the overlap created Chris offloaded to Tim who went
in for the points which he then converted.
A good day at the office by High School was rounded
off by the final try again by Stephen Morton from his favourite situation
, the catch and drive. Tim Murphy converted well and after playing for a
few minutes more the referee blew the final whistle to finish the game.
With these valuable League points secured the High
School team continue to build for the final few games of the season which
will prove to be the make or break. Next week its on the road again to
play University Of Ulster at Coleraine . All travelling support will be
welcome.
FINAL SCORE
BHSFP 64
- CIVIL SERVICE
0
Labor
Ipse Voluptas
