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High School welcomed the visiting
Armoy team to Greenisland for the first league game of the new season . It
was a cool day with excellent ground conditions on a well groomed home
pitch.
The
game was only 3 minutes old when High School put the first points on the
board through a well taken try by Ulster Junior David Mayne. David
received the ball from a scrum deep inside his own half and with all the
work still to do he scythed his way through the Armoy defence for the
touchdown. The try was converted by new club signing Tim Murphy playing at
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This initial score seemed to bring
a lacklustre Armoy team to life and for the next 15 minutes they played
well and on occasions tested the High School defensive capabilities. The
set piece and in particular the scrummage was the strongest part of the
Armoy game but it was clear they were vulnerable when High School secured
the ball and moved it across the swift footed backline. This proved to be
the case when the next try came from an excellent run from the half way
line by Neil Hastings. Having received the ball from a line out Neil cut
the Armoy defence to shreds . The try was unconverted.
Within
two minutes of the restart High School were awarded a penalty which was
quickly taken by Ian Elliott . The crafty veteran left the Armoy defence
standing as he glided in for the try with 20 minutes having elapsed. The
try was converted by Tim Murphy.
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Having taken an early and
substantial lead High School were suddenly on the receiving end of
good work by Armoy who mauled their way to the home line where they
successfully secured 7 points through the converted try.
This was to be the only scoring
effort by the Armoy team who despite some good work up front were always
second best in this encounter.
A
further 3 points were added to the High School score after 25 minutes of
play through a well taken penalty by Tim Murphy . Right on the half time
whistle a further try was scored by Paul Shaw another new signing this
season . Paul received the ball in open play from a clever inside pass and
was clear through to the line. The conversion was successful.
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HALF
TIME
BHSFP 29
- 7
ARMOY
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The second half started with Armoy
briefly in the driving seat but their cause was not helped when their
scrumhalf was given a yellow card 5 minutes into the half.
High School soon regained control
and after 12 minutes of the half Neil Hastings scored his second of the
day following a good move across the backline. The try was unconverted.
Almost immediately High School
were on the attack and again Ian Elliott was to the fore running in a good
try converted by Tim Murphy.
At this stage of the match High
School were totally dominant in every facet of the game. The lineouts were
functioning better than in the first half with Greg Elliott and Paul Shaw
doing some great work . In the scrum High School slowly dominated events
and again upped the tempo in the second half. Superior fitness was
beginning to tell and some good work by Peter Taylor and Stephen Morton
ensured a plentiful supply of
ball in the loose.
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Having not seen a tremendous
amount of ball in the first half David Mayne received good service from a
set piece through the secure hands of cousin Jonny Mayne who had shrugged
of the effects of jet lag to play in this match. A neat switch move in the
centre saw David make the line for the converted try.
The flood gates had now opened and
within 2 minutes Ian Elliott made a searing break to cross the line but ,
in the knowledge that this would cost him a jug he handed the scoring
opportunity to Tim Murphy who had provided good support. Tim secured the
additional points.
With only 21minutes of the second
half having elapsed David Mayne scored his third try of the day . The ball
was initially intercepted by Tim Murphy who was able to give the scoring
pass to David for the run in from the half way line. The try was converted
and father Ken was happy to stump up for the obligatory 3 try jug after
the match.
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At this point the referee blew the
whistle bringing this rather one sided encounter to an end some 19 minutes
early.
This
was a good display by High School who laid down a marker for the season.
With a couple of regular personnel still to return the competition for
places will be fierce which can only auger well for the season ahead.
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FINAL SCORE
BHSFP 62
- 7 ARMOY
Labor
Ipse Voluptas
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