On a perfect day for rugby, the Civil Service squad headed up to Belfast High School Former Pupils ground with a number of new faces keen to make their debuts for the club. BHS had beaten us in the corresponding fixture last year and Service were looking forward to showing the progress that had been made under the new coaching team.
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A tight match followed with a tough tackling BHS team refusing to allow the spirited Service attack through and by the end of the first quarter a single penalty, struck over confidently by debutant David Knox, gave a 3-0 lead, however an intercepted pass gave an easy run in converted to make it 7-3. Unfortunately for Service another opportunist try came for BHS after a mix up in the linenout on the try line. Service trailed 14-3 at half time but had played well. A number of switches were made and heads high Service started brightly, unlucky not to score after a few good breaks but finally breached the BHS line to close the deficit to 14-10.
A trademark Dan Cartland weaving solo try got Service back into the match but a period of BHS dominance then led to them crashingover the line with a maul to extend their lead to 21-17. With just minutes left to go Moore Holmes who had been outstanding all match drove through the BHS defence and his tenacity and power paid off as he scored the winning try to make it 22-21. Victory had been won by the narrowest of margins and a substantial support for a friendly game had plenty to talk about after a match played in great spirit and with great effort from both sides. Some great performances and many debuts that were pleasing but it was last years player of the year, Moore Holmes who was Man of the match. Next week for Service is both teams facing Hollywood teams at the start of what looks to be a promising year.
