MATCH REPORT

Belfast High School Former Pupils RFC

MATCH REPORT BHSFP V CIYMS
The first home game of the season saw Belfast High School Former Pupils host visitors CIYMS at Greenisland in what was anticipated to be a tight game. On a day made for running rugby the match got underway with High School taking the initiative and immediately putting the visitors set piece under severe scrutiny. The High School forward pack , although much lighter than the opposition , had the edge from the start in both scrum and lineout and it was from the scrum that the first points were put on the board. With the ball fed from scrumhalf Jonny Mayne, outhalf Tim Murphy went over cleanly but was unable to add the conversion points. The visitors though were soon on the scoreboard when three minutes later the referee awarded a penalty which was easily converted. This was followed by a further penalty converted by CIYMS after twenty five minutes of play which took the visitors into a one point lead.
At this stage of the game the bigger and more physical CI pack briefly began to dominate the loose play and although High School defended exceptionally well they were unable to prevent a try by CI which came with twenty eight minutes on the clock. The try was well taken and was converted giving the visitors a comfortable eight point advantage as the game moved towards half time. For the remainder of the half it was nip and tuck as both sets of forwards battled it out for possession. Even though they were in the lead however the danger signs were ominous for CIYMS as the High School pack continued to dominate the set piece. The High School front row of Taylor , McManus and Balmer were giving their opposite numbers a torrid time while in the lineout Chris Mills and Andy Morrison were starting to pinch ball against the throw on a regular basis.
HALF TIME BHSFP 5 - 13 CIYMS
The second half started much the same as the first with High School dominating field position. The back line was now also starting to run at the opposition with ball in hand. Captain Chris Kitchen took the lead in attack and with the half back pairing of Mayne and Murphy controlling possession High School were clearly confident that they could overcome the first half deficit. The visiting side were unable to control the game and as frustration crept in the referee eventually yellow carded the No 6 for persistent infringement with the half 8 minutes old. High School were now living in the CI 22 and it was only a matter of time before the pressure told. With the CI pack unable to hold the High School scrum the resulting dissaray allowed High School No 8 Owen Sweeney to crash over for the try converted by Tim Murphy.
With the home side now only a point behind the pressure continued to mount on CIYMS.A number of forays into the High School half came to nothing with the defensive work of full back Matthew McNutt much in evidence. As the game moved into the last quarter the home support were willing their side to add to the points tally. And again, after thirty minutes of the half Owen Sweeney was there to finish off a push over try following a series of re set scrums. The conversion was missed but High School were now in the lead and with the visitors heads visibly dropping the game was there for the taking. It wasn’t long before High School consolidated the win with yet another push over try this time scored by hooker Gareth McManus. The conversion was missed but there was no way back for CIYMS as the referee brought the game to a close a few minutes later. This was an excellent win for High School who rose to the challenge and demonstrates that good technique and a will to win are critical in such tight encounters.
Final Score: BHSFP 22 V 13 CIYMS
Next Week the 1^st XV have no match but the seconds are away against Ballynahinch whilst the thirds are at home. Your support will be most welcome. Labor Ipse Voluptas.

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Last modified: September 17, 2007