BALLYCLARE V
BHSFP
High School travelled to Ballyclare for this League
encounter with both Peter Taylor and Michael Lavery on board following
their absence last week. A change in the back line saw Keith Kitchen come
in to replace the injured Neil Hastings.
With calm conditions and dry underfoot the setting
was right for a good running game.
Ballyclare took the initiative and following an
offside decision by the referee were given the opportunity to put early
points on board. The penalty was missed allowing High School to re group
and attack the Ballyclare line. Having secured ball on the home sides 10
metre line winger Phil Mckeown kicked through. The ball was gathered by a
Ballyclare defender and the resultant clearance kick was charged down by
outhalf Tim Murphy who had followed up well. High School No 8 Michael
Lavery gathered the ball and charged over for the try. Tim Murphy
converted and High School were in the lead.
Although High School looked to have the better of the
Ballyclare side in the early stages it was clear that the home team were
playing with great determination and before long started to secure good
ball, particularly from the scrum where the visiting pack were under
considerable pressure. It wasn’t long before Ballyclare got on the
scoreboard through as very lax bit of High School defending. The ball was
kicked ahead by Ballyclare and followed up by their speedy winger. It
looked as though it was a matter of a defensive touchdown by either of two
High School players covering back but the Ballyclare winger took advantage
of poor communication between the covering High School players and nipped
in for the touchdown with fourteen minutes on the clock. The conversion
was secured bringing the two sides level.
For the next fifteen minutes the game was fairly even
although Ballyclare continued to pressurise the High School scrum and make
life difficult for the half back pairing of Jonny Mayne and Tim Murphy .
It was only through good clear up work at No 8 by Michael Lavery that
allowed any platform to attack
The pressure began to tell and with Ballyclare on the
offensive their next points were secured on thirty minutes of play
following good play in the backline. The conversion was missed but after a
few minutes the home team outhalf slotted over a penalty to widen the gap
between the two teams as the halftime whistle approached.
HALF TIME BALLYCLARE
15 -
7 BHSFP
The second half got underway with High School still
under pressure up front and unable to get any real momentum going.
Although the lineout was functioning reasonably well the continuing
pressure in the scrum was telling with the result that the back line were
unable to breakthrough the strong Ballyclare defence.
With the second half eighteen minutes old Ballyclare
secured a further try following good movement of the ball across the pitch
stretching the High School defence until the gap opened up. The conversion
was missed. With Ballyclare now well ahead it looked as though the game
was wrapped up but High School showed considerable determination and were
not prepared to through in the towel. Strong driving and good phase
playing took High School deep into Ballyclare territory from where they
launched a blistering forward attack on the Ballyclare line. The result
was a try secured by Tim Murphy who slotted over the conversion and
suddenly, against the run of play High School were within a converted try
of winning the match.
For the next ten minutes Ballclare held their nerve
and despite further attacks by High School the home side were able to
prevent any further scores.
FINAL SCORE
BALLYCLARE 20 -
14 BHSFP
This was not a good day at the office for High School
who were unable to assert any real authority in the set piece or around
the pitch generally. Ballyclare ran out deserved winners on the day and no
doubt the return fixture will be every bit as tight.
Thanks to Ballyclare President Pat McCudden and his
team for the Pre match lunch and hospitality.
Next week its Donaghadee at Home. All support
welcome.
Labor Ipse Voluptas.
