The Belfast High School Former Pupils 2ndXV arrived at
Donaghadee for a match up against their 3rdXV to be presented with weather
that was described as blustery and showery with sunny intervals. The
backline from the previous weeks encounter remained the same; the forwards
however did not have that luxury. Hooker Alan Charters received a call-up
to the 1stXV so the dynamic Rory Beattie eagerly joined the front row.
Randal Lavery received his first game of the season, in for Kris Porter.
Captain Alan Magee, excelling so far this season in calling tails once
again won the toss and the visitors were playing with the considerable
wind in the first half. The game was delayed 10 minutes as the former
pupils back row of the Lavery brothers and Tom McAlister had not turned
up. The referee, not able to stall any longer started the game with the
visitors 3 men down.
The home side revelling in the frantic defence of the high school and
constant overlaps took advantage early on and touched down under the posts
after 5 minutes, the visiting back row arrived just in time to see the
conversion pass through the posts. 7, 0
Now that the Former Pupils had their full contingent they slowly began to
show some structure that lacked in the opening minutes. After 10 minutes fullback
Jordan Frampton entered into the line superbly and a deft chip through for
Winger Sid Brown seemed sure to put points on the board but good defensive
work by the home number 7 saved the try.
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The High School by now were showing dominance in the game
and a second chance for a try came after 18 minutes. A cheeky flick pass
behind the back of Outhalf Ricky Atkinson put Number 8 Tom McAlister in
for the score; however the referee deemed the pass forward, despite the
protestations of the visiting support.
5 minutes later Scrum half Gareth McKeague dislocated his finger and the
backline had to be reshuffled as he twisted the injured digit this way and
that to force it back into place. Atkinson changed to Scrumhalf and Jordan
Frampton moved into Outhalf.
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Almost 30 minutes the reduced High School showed their
ability in scoring their first try of the contest. A strong kick, using
full effect of the elements isolated the Donaghadee winger deep in his own
half. Excellent pressure by the ever improving Winger David Wright forced
the turnover and after 2 quick phases the ball found McAlister who dive
over to touch down near the corner. As Frampton dropped the tricky
conversion successfully the High Schools stalwart scrumhalf McKeague
returned to the field, to play the remainder of the game at Fullback. 7, 7
The visitors were now showing total control of the match and with just
less than 10 minutes left in the half McKeague entered the line to receive
a beautiful pass from Centre Kyle Brown and offload to Wright on the wing.
Wright took his man on the outside yet somehow managed to loose control
over the line.
The School continued to threaten the home line and just 2 minutes later
their next chance came. McAlister saw his chance for a 2nd try when he got
he ball 10 meters out however his enthusiasm was not enough to bring him
in for the score. An earlier infringement by Donaghadee gave the visitors
a consolation penalty and Frampton capitalised. 7, 10
The half ended with the High School up 10 to 7 and looking hungry for
more.
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Half time 10 , 7
The second half began with the High School facing into the strong wind
preparing to take advantage of their slim lead. However it was the Former
Pupils who put the first points on the board inside the opening minute. A
well read kick fielded by Wright gave the winger room to run. The
lacklustre chase allowed Dave enough time to dive over the 5 meter line,
realise he hadn?t scored, get up and score for real. The sideline
conversion by Frampton was unsuccessful. 7, 15
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For the next period the home side used the wind to position
themselves in the High School half. A great angle by the Donaghadee
outside centre almost took him in for the try but an equally great cover
tackle by Kyle Brown stopped him, Hooker Rory Beattie appeared from
nowhere to steal the ball and halt the Donaghadee advance. Prop Mark Marno
showed his ability in stopping the driving maul from the lineout as the home pack repeatedly
tried to break the young High School pack.
With 10 minutes gone in the half the home side almost scored again through
the left wing, who took the ball to less than 5 meters out before a
brilliant cover tackle by Atkinson and Beattie forced him out.
Unfortunately the tackle caused the Former Pupils their second dislocation
of the match as Rory Beatties usually sturdy elbow joint popped out. A 20
minute break ensued in the game while the ambulance was summoned to take
Rory to Dundonald, probably to go ice skating. Once again the High School
Team was switched around. Lock Ian Scott moved to Hook in the now
uncontested scrums and stand in scrumhalf Atkinson volunteered to throw in
at lineouts, which just didnt look right with Flanker Paul Lavery standing
at scrumhalf.
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30 minutes remained in the game after the restart and the
Visitors prepared themselves for a tough defensive half an hour with 14
men. Though by keeping the ball in hand the Former Pupils showed that they
could still control the game, despite injuries and the elements. 5 minutes
after the restart a break by Frampton relieved the constant pressure on
the visiting line.
With 20 minutes left in the contest a pick and go from the scrum saw
Atkinson in space on the wing with support form Jordan Frampton and Kyle
Brown. The backs however were not clinical enough on this occasion to reel
in the points and the ball was cleared.
The 14 men continued to prove themselves worthy of the lead as another
break put Sid Brown up the sideline, to within 5 meters of the try line,
once again a certain try was denied by the home defence.
25 minutes into the 2nd half Donaghadee kept the ball in hand and broke
free from their own half. The rampaging Openside outsripped the defence
and only a great tackle by injured scrumhalf come fullback McKeague
prevented the score.
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Only 12 minutes remained in the contest when
fate struck another cruel blow to the Former Pupils. A high tackle to Captain and Centre Alan Magee
caused a neck injury that prevented him playing any further. This reduced the
visitors down to only 13 men. To make up for the missing defensive rock in
the back line Flanker Paul Lavery resided at Inside Centre for the rest of
the game.
Despite brilliant defensive play by the visitors including superb tackling
by Paul Lavery the home side broke the High School line for the first time
in the half 5 minutes later. The try was converted. 14, 15
Only 1 minute remained in the half when Donaghadee got the gut wrenching try that they needed. The home Blindside Flanker capped off a great
performance by taking advantage of a halfback mix up, to gather the ball and take it in for the score. The try was converted. 21, 15
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Full Time 21, 15
This was an awesome performance by a team ravaged by injury and
misfortune, and were extremely unlucky not to win. I would like to thank Donaghadee
for their hospitality and let you know that we are looking forward to our home
fixture later in the season.
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