Belfast High School eased past Friends in a delayed third round Medallion Shield match, winning by 57 points to 8 on Saturday.
Both teams played good rugby, but the Lisburn team were up against it after early tries from Darren Scott, Alex Curry and Scott White put the home side 21-0 in the first 20 minutes.
But Friends, who had taken three attempts to get past Omagh in the previous round, were a determined outfit and played some spirited rugby.
After some sustained pressure by the visitors, BHS were penalised and Miles Mercer coolly slotted the three points.
High School out-half Joel McBride controlled the game well, converting the first tries, before going over himself following poor Friends defence to make the score 28-3.
Soon after, the unfortunate Friends out-half, Mercer, had to leave the pitch after taking a knock.
PICTURES: one of the team with the main sponcer Michael Tomalin managing director of Belfast City Auctions with head
coach Michael Rianey on right and ass coach Gareth McKinney ,also one of Mr Tomalin with Belfast High captian James Creighton formaly presenting them with their new kit , they are also sponsored by usedcarsni.com and garywhitecarsales.com.
Towards the 30 minute mark, number 8 Connor Elliott stretched the home side’s lead with an unconverted try, making the half-time score 33-3 to the High School.
Friends withstood some sustained pressure by the hosts at the start of the second half with some stout defence.
But some good passing from the High School’s pacy back line saw wing Ryan Huntley touching down for his team’s sixth try.
The hosts were firmly into their stride by now and BHS extended the lead to 43-3 following a score by centre Ethan Rock.
The half-century mark came from the move of the match. Ryan Duddy sent a beautifully weighted chip into the Friends’ 22, and Darren Scott latched on to the ball for his second of the game. A fine conversion from Duddy added the 2 points.
Friends never let their heads drop and some good pressure of their own kept the High School camped in their own 22. It paid off, with flanker Josh Agnew scoring to make the score 50-8.
But with the final play of the game, flanker Scott White crashed over the line for his second, and the team’s ninth, try of the game.
BHS host RBAI in the 4th round of the shield on Saturday, February 4.
