MATCH REPORT
BHSFP
V DONAGHADEE
Doanaghadee were the visitors to Greenisland for this
League encounter. High School made a few changes from the previous week
with Davy Scott and Jonny Terret coming into the pack , Neil Hastings
returning to the wing and David Mayne taking up the centre berth.
This was expected to be a tight encounter, with
Donaghadee somewhat of an unknown quantity having been relegated into
Section 2 last season. The game got underway in fine conditions with a
large number of supporters present for both sides.
Early exchanges were fairly equal although High
School seemed to have the edge up front with a much improved scrummage
from the previous week. Donaghadee were intent on moving the ball and
utilised their strong running centre as often as possible. For the first
fifteen minutes there was no score although both sides had a number of
missed penalty opportunities.
The first points were secured by the visitors when
the Donaghadee number 12 took advantage of some poor tackling by High
School to run through the defence and score. The conversion was good and
it seemed as though Donaghadee were settling well into their game. High
school however continued to fight for possession against the strong Dee
pack and with the front row of Scott , Balmer and Taylor gradually taking
the upper hand the supply of good possession increased . This allowed the
High School halfbacks to show their paces but the Donaghadee defence was
sound and High School were finding it difficult to get the breakthrough.
The game continued to be fairly even until the thirty
eigth minute when after a period of sustained pressure the ball was moved
from a ruck to Tim Murphy who slotted over a neat Drop goal from the 10
metre line giving High School their first points of the match. Donaghadee
were then reduced to fourteen men when their number eight left the field
for treatment to an injury.
The match continued in the same vein and with the Dee
side restored to full strength the next points again came from the boot of
Tim Murphy who converted a penalty in first half injury time to bring High
School back within one point of the visitors.
HALF TIME
BHSFP 6
- 7 DONAGHADEE
The second half got underway with High School under
pressure in their own half. Strong defensive work by the High School pack
secured their line and with a very strong maul the home side were able, on
a number of occasions, to march the Dee pack up the field and out of
trouble. Donaghadee did however have their opportunities in the early part
of the second half when the referee awarded two very kickable penalties.
The opportunity was squandered and it was High School who next put points
on the board. Following a superb driving maul by the High School pack the
ball was released finding David Mayne, who for the first time in the match
had an opportunity to attack. Breaking through a couple of tackles David
secured the try under the posts. With the conversion good High School were
now in the lead and were beginning to show more composure in both defence
and attack.
With the game moving towards the last quarter
Donaghadee came back strongly and with the award of a penalty levelled the
score at thirteen points each.
With everything to play for both sides were going at
it hammer and tongs in both tight and loose. With no quarter given or
taken the next points were likely to be crucial and these were secured by
Donaghadee. Following a period of sustained pressure in the High School 22
and with the line threatened by good phased rucking by Donaghadee the gap
opened up allowing the try with twenty five minutes of the half gone. The
conversion was missed and High School were again behind.
It wasn’t long though before High School retaliated
in this see saw game. With the ball moved up field Donaghadee tried to
kick it clear but with flanker Jonny Price following up the charge down
was inevitable. The ball was collected by High School and found its way
into the hands of Tim Murphy who broke through the remaining Donaghadee
defence for the try. The conversion was good.
With 15 minutes left on the clock both sides were
determined to give everything to get the win. Donaghadee again went on the
attack and but for some poor decision making in the backline might have
scored next. High School defended well in both tight and loose and with
the Donaghadee scrum starting to creak under pressure the Home side took
advantage, moved up field again through the rolling maul and secured
territory in the Donaghadee 22. This was the opportunity to secure the
match and with an excellent movement in the backline from set piece ball,
captain Chris Kitchen went in for the try. The conversion was missed but
High School now had the points advantage. For the remainder of the match
it was nip and tuck but High School were not giving up the opportunity for
the win and held firm against everything the Dee side could throw at them
until the final whistle.
FINAL SCORE
BHSFP 25
- 18
DONAGHADEE
This was a much better performance by High School
from the previous week although there is still much room for improvement
in coming matches.
Next week the 1st XV have no game but as
the 2ndXV are at home to Ards your support will be most welcome.
Labor Ipse Voluptas.
