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BHSFP II's 25 v L'Derry
YM II's 15
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| Tries :
Atkinson (2) , Wright |
| Convs: Frampton,
Atkinson |
| Pens: Frampton
(2) |
The Belfast High School Former Pupils prepared to play
their first home
match of the season this weekend against Derry YM, the overcast skies and
strong westerly wind blowing into the corner promised a tactical contest.
Centre Alan Magee took over the captaincy of the 2ndXV as Andrew ?Pixie?
McCormick received a call up to the 1stXV. Jordan Frampton came in at
fullback while Flanker Paul Lavery and new signing Prop Gary McMinn
replaced Pennycook and Jackson from the previous weeks squad.
The first period of the match was fairly evenly contested, the High School
pack showed great improvement in the scrum that suffered last week. The
backs not to be outdone showed that they were going to dominate the open
play.
After 20 minutes YM had their first chance of points however the drop goal
attempt sailed wide.
Shortly after the near miss the Former Pupils had their best chance for
points so far. A good change of direction of the attack called by Hooker
Alan Charters gave Fullback Jordan Frampton the ball inside the 22.
Frampton charged up the blindside yet was held up over the line. Excellent
lineout work by Lock Andrew Meek, and his lifters, stole the ball back for
the home side but they were unable to capitalise and Derry clawed
themselves off their own line.
30 minutes into the contest Derry, through their kicking game, used the
wind effectively to force the ball onto the Former Pupils line. Pressure
from the wings almost gained the try for the visitors and only great
defensive work by Frampton denied the YM left wing his prize.
With 5 minutes remaining in the half Centre Alan Magee took a superb angle
off Outhalf Ricky Atkinson to cut through the Derry defensive line.
Offloads by Magee and Centre partner Kyle Brown gave the ball to Wing
David
Wright with a mere 40 meters to the line. Dave didn?t drop the ball and
the
try was scored, Scrumhalf Gareth McKeague missed the conversion. 5 ? 0.
On the stroke of halftime Derry were awarded a penalty that only a referee
with such bright shiny boots could award without reprisal from the crowd.
In front of the posts, the YM kicker could hardly miss and the teams went
in at the half 5 ? 3.
Half time 5 ? 3.
The second half began at a faster pace than the first and after just 3
minutes the High School got their first score of the half. Following
strong
forward play Derry found themselves with a lineout on their own 22.
Excellent pressure by a number of blue shirts on the visiting Outhalf
allowed Ricky Atkinson to charge down the kick. Atkinson then dropped onto
the ball for the try. Frampton converted successfully. 12 ? 3.
Derry once again missed a drop goal, the ball was recovered and the Former
pupils regained possession. Lock Ian Scott found himself deputising at
scrumhalf and decided that he would give a textbook example of the dive
pass. The 50 or so spectators silenced in anticipation as Ian picked up
the
ball and wound up the pass that would surely travel the width of the pitch
to the open winger. Unfortunately it was never to happen as Ian forgot to
release the ball.
Derry pressurised the home side for the next few minutes but staunch
defence by centre partners Brown and Magee helped to turn over the ball.
Powerful mauling by the young High School pack then provided a platform
for
the halfbacks to take advantage of the elements and send the ball through
the air into the Derry half.
A penalty to the home side was missed from the 10 meter line by Frampton,
after 15 minutes. Shortly after this, ill discipline by Charters caused
the
Former Pupils to be marched 10 from a penalty, that?s £5 for the dirty
drinks kitty Alan.
20 minutes remained in the encounter when Derry scored their first try.
The
conversion was unsuccessful. 12 ? 8
The High School immediately responded with a superb restart bringing the
ball to the Derry 5 meter line. Brilliant forward play, including
ferocious
tackling by Flanker Paul Lavery, kept Derry on the back foot and the
visitors rarely ventured from their own 22 for the next 15 minutes. The
rewards for this effort came in the form of 2 penalties to add a further 6
points to Frampton?s personal tally. 18 ? 8.
Less than 5 minutes remained when YM scored by taking a quick penalty. The
try came through sustained pressure from the Derry pack yet was not in
keeping with the home sides usually stingy defence. The conversion was
good. 18 ? 15.
During injury time the visitors seemed not content to go home with
anything
less than a win, and it seemed that they could possibly achieve their
goal.
Until Prop Mark Marno rushed the opposition Outhalf forcing the quick
pass,
which travelled directly into the welcoming arms of Ricky Atkinson, who
cantered the 70 meters to the line to seal the victory. Despite his sudden
unexplainable breathlessness Atkinson converted the try himself. 25 ? 15.
Full time 25 ? 15.
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