| The penultimate league match of the season saw High School
travel to Virginia for a vital game in the title race. A three hour bus
journey does little for game preparation but High School arrived at
Virginia in plenty of time for a pre match warm up knowing the Virginia
side would present a tougher test than they did the previous week at home. |
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The game got underway in bright sunshine and a
slight breeze. Underfoot the pitch was soft and sticky which did little
for the High School style of open running rugby. Virginia were fired up
for this match and started well taking the game to the smaller High School
pack. High school were on the back foot in the opening exchanges but
managed to secure sufficient ball to deny Virginia any decent scoring
opportunities.
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The first points came after 8 minutes of play
when from a scrum High School secured possession and moved the ball wide
across the backs to Neill Hastings who with a strong finishing run went in
for the try. The try was unconverted. No sooner had the game restarted
than High School scored again. This came from a Virginia drop out which
went to the hands of Phil McKeown who made an excellent break before
shifting the ball wide to Neill Hastings for the try in the corner. The
try was unconverted.
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Virginia were still in the game and were playing in their
usual aggressive style up front. The High School pack were holding their
own and benefited from a high penalty count against the Virginia pack. The
pressure from Virginia eventually told and after 14 minutes play they
scored a try in the corner. This came from a chip through the High School
defence following a period of scrappy play.The try was unconverted.
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Virginia continued to pressure hard and were
awarded a penalty on 17 minutes which was missed and a further attempt on
20 minutes which was converted bringing the home team to within 2 points
of the visitors. High School needed to reassert themselves and increase
the gap which was too close forcomfort.
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Some penetrating runs by the High School back
division ensured that Virginia were largely on the defensive at this stage
of the game and it was through this pressure that High School secured the
next points after 30 minutes of play. From a penalty the ball was moved
left across the backline to Ian Elliott. Ian seemed slightly hesitant (or
was he bluffing) in that the ball was expected to move further wide. But
with the Virginia backline opening up Ian streaked through the gap for the
try. Converted by Barry Taylor.
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| This try gave High School the cushion they
needed and with the prospect of a second half playing down hill things
were looking good. Unfortunately after 35 minutes of play Alistair Best
suffered a bad eye injury following a tackle and had to leave the field.
Alistair's presence would be missed and once again this meant High School
faced the prospect of finishing a match with 14 men. (Mange Tout, Mange
Tout )
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HALF TIME VIRGINIA 8 - 17 BHSFP
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The second half got underway with High School knowing they would be in
for a tough time. Virginia started the half as they did in the first and
it was only through some excellent defence from the High School backs that
prevented Virginia from securing early second half points. This was
particularly evident from the High School centres who thwarted the
Virginia centre on a number of his characteristic strong runs.
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The next try of the game was however scored by
Virginia following a penalty awarded some 15 metres from the High School
line. The Virginia pack rucked and mauled towards the line and seemed to
have come to a halt short of scoring. However the ball was picked up again
and the try was awarded.following the touchdown. The try was converted
bringing Virginia again within 2 points of High School with 38 minutes
left to play.
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| Once again High School needed to dig deep to
ensure the match would be secured and with Pete Taylor and John Balmer
leading from the front they began to take good ball from the set piece.
The line outs which had been erratic in the first half suddenly clicked
with Mark Lambe taking everything cleanly. This set up good ball for Jonny
Mayne to feed Jordon Frampton who kicked well from hand to put Virginia on
the back foot time and again. |
A quarter of an hour into the second half saw
High School secure their next points. Strong pressure on Virginia resulted
in two penalties being awarded in swift succession both of which were well
converted by Barry Taylor from some distance out. This once again gave
High School the cushion needed to keep Virginia at bay.
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Although they were a man down High School
started to dominate play in the last quarter of the match. Excellent
kicking ( what about John Balmers annual pressure relieving clearance to
touch !) continued to ensure High School were in the driving seat although
Virgina still presented a threat in all aspects of the game.
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High School needed further points to secure the win and in
the last ten minutes entered their best phase of the game. Continuing to
pump balls to the corners ensured Virginia were pinned in their own half .
A number of lineouts were won and High School came close to scoring on a
number of occasions. Eventually on 33 minutes the try came . Clean ball
from the line saw a good driving maul by the High School pack . The maul
was collapsed short of the Virginia line and the chance seemed lost when
Virginiaoverturned the possession. However, up popped John Balmer again
with the ball to crash through the Virginia defence for a well taken try.
Although the conversion was missed this put High School well into the
lead.
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Virginia to their credit did not give up and
came back at High School for the remaining 5 minutes but no further points
were added.
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This was again an exemplary display by High School playing
with 14 men and one or two carrying injuries. With one game remaining in
the league ( Donegal at home ) everything is still to play for but High School are in the driving seat .
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Thanks to Virginia for their hospitality and to big Mickey
in whatever town the bus stopped in on the way back for the crack !!
Labor Ipse Voluptas
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Belfast
High School Former Pupils RFC
