BHSFP 0 v 36 Service by Roy Lawton
Service made it two wins from two in the league on Saturday when they travelled to Upper Road, Greenisland to take on Belfast High School Former Pupils.
High School, now coached by well-established South African, Rhys Botha, looked fanciful enough in the opening exchanges when the game kicked-off in near perfect playing conditions on a bright and breezy, warm autumn afternoon.
In the first minute of play, Service made no less than three unforced errors which the home side, failed to capitalise on and this helped the visitors greatly as they regained their composure and helped settle the nerves of the large contingent of travelling touchline faithful.
On 6 minutes, Moore Holmes, making a welcome return to 1st XV action, smashed his way through some sluggish High School defence to touchdown under the posts and get the Service scoreboard ticking over. Peter Hoskins stepped up to convert and Service were in the lead.
Three minutes later and it was the turn of the backs to get in on the action when Chris Burns, ghosted his way through the home defence to score a well worked try for Hoskins to convert, thus putting some daylight between these two evenly matched teams.
After 14 minutes, a shrill blast of the whistled signalled an infringement from a home player and the resulting penalty was duly slotted over with the trusty boot of Hoskins to put Service further ahead on 17 points to nil in the first quarter.
The Service set-piece was looking much more stable and functioning well, providing good ball for Alastair Montgomery to release his backs to run threatening lines at the home defence. Captain Michael Murray’s men were beginning to settle into a rhythm and things were moving in the right direction.
Both teams then settled into some fairly equal exchanges with the home centres looking the more likely to break through but for some good first up tackles by their opposite numbers of Dan Cartland and Chris Burns.
In the 39th minute, an ‘accidental’ thumb in the eye, forced Murray to the side-lines as the big locks right eye closed over requiring some treatment to prevent the swelling from getting out of control.
With Service now down to 14 men, High School threw everything they had at the sturdy defenders for 4 minutes, but were unable to break through before the whistle ended the first half and Service went in at the break 17 points to the good.
At the restart, and still playing with 14 men, Service took the game right to the heart of their hosts and on 41 minutes when after some excellent play from the Service forwards, ‘Monty’ was able to touchdown for an unconverted try to the left of the uprights.
Sadly this appeared to have a negative effect on the hosts and on 44 minutes their big number 5 was red carded for some off the ball nonsense on Jonny Cartwright as he lay on the ground.
‘JC’ being the tough little ‘hombre’ that he is, was able to return to action after some ‘minor’ repairs and was soon back playing to his full potential.
The resulting penalty was missed when a ‘tap and go’ from 5 meters out might have been a better option but C’est la vie, you have to live with your decisions.
Ten minutes into the second half and Captain Murray was permitted to return to the field of play albeit with a certain amount of restricted vision, putting Service back up to full-strength against the 14-man High School.
High School were further reduced in numbers when their number 13 had to retire with an injury to his elbow, though this appeared to have little effect with their playing capability as they upped their game accordingly.
Service was still looking the more threatening in attack and on 63 minutes, ‘Burnsy’ scored a peach of a try with a sweeping move down the left flank to finish off under the sticks for ‘Hosky’ to convert. The ball was recycled through great hands with George Brown feeding left winger les magowan who raced down the touchline before passing back inside to the supporting Burns who exploited the gap and stormed his way over the line for the best try of the day. ‘Hosky’s boot then added the extras and put Service into a commanding lead.
Hamish Matheson was marshalling his forwards well, making some strong carries and along with Mathew Robinson and Moore Holmes, kept their opposite numbers on the back foot throughout the game. Ben Morgan, who had an impressive game the previous week at 6, was now partnering Murray in the second row with the rugged trio of Trevor McDowell, ‘JC’ and Brendan Smith completing a powerful forward unit.
Emmet McKimm was flying down the right wing and chased everything down putting in some ferocious hits and causing all sorts of problems as he quickly closed down the opposition players.
On 69 minutes, a downfield kick saw McKimm, clatter the High School 10 who had taken the ball forcing him to spill it and allowing George Brown to gather and race off to score under the posts for Hoskins to convert his fourth of the day.
Unfortunately McKimms tackle resulted in the High School out half being momentarily knocked unconscious and because of the current concussion awareness programme being run by Ulster Rugby, the player had to retire putting the home side down to 12 men with 10 minutes to go.
With the game all but over, Service were content to run down the clock and avoid any more injuries to either side and finished the game 36 points to the good over their Greenisland opponents.
Not the prettiest of games to watch, but again Service showed the flair they are capable of and had they taken all their chances could have had 50 + up on the board come the close of play.
This week’s Man of the Match performance goes to Chris Burns. His strong runs in the centre, solid defence and two tries helped him stand out from the crowd and caught the eye of the ‘adjudicating panel’ on the side-line.
Thanks again to our hosts, the match official and the travelling support and a speedy recovery to all who pick up a knock or two during the game.
Next week the team face league leaders Ophir at Stormont. Should be a close call, don’t miss it.
Team:- Trevor McDowell, Jonny Cartwright, Brendan Smith, Ben Morgan, Michael Murray ©, Matthew Robinson, Moore Holmes, Hamish Matheson, Alastair Montgomery, George Brown, Dan Cartland, Chris Burns, Leas Magowan, Emmet McKimm and Peter Hoskins.
It’s a busy schedule next week with all sections of the Club in action so
please make an effort to support our teams.
Fixtures:-
1st XV v Ophir – League
2nd XV v Malone – League
Clogher Valley v U17s – League
Clogher Valley v U13s – League
Service Minis v CIYMS – Friendly
