With the waiting over the scene was set for the big
showdown between the two top teams in Qualifying Section Three. High
School had not played a competitive match for almost a month but had used
the time well in preparation for this League play off encounter. Having
suffered badly at the tail end of the season through injuries and player
unavailability the team were glad to welcome back David Mayne , Davy Henry
Neil Hastings and Andy Morrison.
The neutral venue of Randalstown was selected as the
location for the match . Unfortunately the pitch was in need of some
tender loving care but the rutted and hard surface did not affect what
turned out to be a corker of a game.
The game got underway with Ballymoney taking the
initiative in the opening minutes putting pressure on the High School
defence . The result was a penalty opportunity to open the scoring which
the Ballymoney outhalf sent wide of the posts. High School fought their
way into the game and for the next fifteen minutes it was nip and tuck all
the way. The aggressive Ballymoney pack were matched in every facet by the
High School eight who knew that it was going to be a physical encounter
for the full eighty minutes.
The first points of the game fell to High School when
loose ball was snapped up by the backline and with some rare space
available to them the opportunity to attack the Ballymoney line was there.
Good handling resulted in the strong running Neil Hastings finishing off
the move to score in the corner. The conversion from Tim Murphy hit the
upright but High School were now in the driving seat.
A further penalty opportunity to Ballymoney was
missed on 22 minutes but a lapse in concentration by the High School
defence allowed Ballymoney through for a converted try with the game 28
minutes old.
With no quarter being given or asked both sets of
forwards battled for every lineout and scrum while the respective
backlines were primarily in defensive mode . It was High School however
who continually frustrated Ballymoney with superb tackling and in your
face play.
HALF TIME BHSFP
5 -
7 BALLYMONEY
The second half got underway much as the first
finished. The game was fairly even in the first twenty following half time
as the edgy crowd continued to support their respective teams. Strong work
by the High School pack was beginning to tell on the Ballymoney eight and
with Andy Morrison pinching ball at will from the lineout it was clear
where the advantage lay. Similarily in the scrums the High School front
three of Davy Scott , Gareth McManus and Peter Taylor out scrummaged their
opponents . For their part Ballymoney continued to secure good ball from
ruck and maul showing what they have been good at in each of the four
encounters between these teams this season.
A rare penalty award to High School mid way through
the second half resulted in the next points on the board. Superbly struck
by Tim Murphy from well out, the score put High School back in the lead by
one point. This was closely followed by two further scoring opportunities
which could have secured the match this
stage for the High School side. With the opportunities missed the scene
was set for what proved to be a finish stranger than fiction.
With a slender one point advantage High School knew
that Ballymoney would throw everything at them in the final ten minutes of
the game and so it proved to be. With
High School camped in their own 22 the Ballymoney eight continued to try
and batter a way through the High School defence. Two clearances by High
School captain Jonny Mayne only momentarily eased the pressure as
Ballymoney came back time and again with phase after phase of play.
Through a combination of guts and sheer dogged determination by both
forwards and backs alike the High School defence stood firm with every man
putting his body on the line.
As the clock ticked by the High School crowd bayed
for the referees whistle but as the game moved into injury time Ballymoney
realised there was going to be no way through and with a switch in tactics
moved the ball to the backs for the drop goal opportunity. The kick from
the Ballymoney number 13 was good and as the Ballymoney contingent cheered
what seemed to be the winning points a moment of inspiration by Ian
Elliott turned the game on its head in a flash. The ball was immediately
kick down pitch by Ian . The kick deep into Ballymoney territory was
followed up by Ian , Stephen Morton , Tim Murphy and Jordan Frampton . The
Ballymoney camp was caught napping and with Stephen Morton clattering into
the struggling defenders the ball was spilled , collected by Tim Murphy
and fed to Jordan Frampton who found the legs to go over for a superb try.
As the High School crowd went wild Tim Murphy converted.
With the game now 5 minutes into injury time the
referee continued and with the match restarted Ballymoney went on the
attack again. Three further minutes of nerve jangling rugby elapsed before
the final clearance kick saw the referee blow the whistle and High School
secure the match and promotion into Section Two rugby as worthy champions.
FINAL SCORE
BHSFP 15
- 10 BALLYMONEY
This was a great game of rugby from two highly
committed sides. It was High School who prevailed in the end and everyone
of the fifteen who played deserves great credit.
Congratulations to Coach Davy Scott , assistant Derek
Wilson ,Captain Jonny Mayne and every one of the squad for a highly
successful season.
Have a
good summer everyone as we look forward to Section Two rugby next season.
LABOR IPSE VOLUPTAS
