Belfast Highschool Former Pupils (BHSFP) travelled to the Holmes on Saturday in their league encounter with Donegaltown 1st’s, for a game played in sunny conditions. BHSP arrived in confidence with their best league form since Christmas and owed Donegal one since their first league encounter in October.
First Half
BHSFP made the better start to the game with long periods off possession and strong forward play in the opening ten minutes. From a ruck just inside the Donegal half the ball was shipped out to Shaun Mahon who carried hard up the midfield and offloaded to Neville Connaghan who popped it up to Mark O Donnell. O Donnells pass to his support players was knocked down by a covering defender however, but bounced up for Cannon who powered his way to the line against the run off play to for the opening the scores. BHSFP continued the pressure however with Donegal finding it difficult to get out of their half. Eventually BHSFP scored from a loose ball after a brilliant turnover from O Donnell which the Donegal support players did not react to which was hacked on and touched down by the BHSFP flanker. The teams shared a penalty apiece after that with BHSFP finishing the half camped in the Donegal 22 but could not find their way through after resolute defending from both backs and forwards.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PICTURES COURTESY OF DONEGAL TOWN RFC DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
Half time Score: Donegaltown 10 BHSFP 10.
Second Half
BHSFP again started strong with solid set piece work pinning Donegal back in their half. Second row Shaun Mahon was unlucky to get sin binned after coming in from the side of the ruck close to the Donegal try line. Similar to the Monaghan game three weeks ago the visitors opted for the scrum with the extra man advantage. After two scrum penalties five yards from the Donegal line centre Lee Moseley joined the pack and made an immediate impact with the Donegal eight turning over the set piece. BHSFP soon regained that lost territory and continued to back their strong scrum which provided a further three penalties which gave the referee no option but to award the penalty try. Donegal kicked into action after this and gaps began to appear in the visitors defence with the Brogan brothers Emmett and Jimmy providing the go forward for Donegal. Shane Gillespie wrapped around a ruck in the midfield and burst through the gap only to be taken down 10 yards short of the line but still managed to offload to McMurray who was also tackled short by some great scramble defence. Shane Gillespie got to his feet quickly and received the pass from McMurray and scored near the posts drawing the game level for the third time.
Solid scrimmaging from Keith Walsh, Emmett Brogan and Neville Connaghan set the platform for Donegals third try. Jimmy Brogan picked from the scrum and popped blindside to Cannon who fed Boyle who hit the gap and gave Joe Kennedy the pass down the right flank. Kennedy took on the Belfast fullback and showed good strength to make the try line which took Donegal into a five point lead with sixty minutes on the clock. BHSFP began using their big runners in the backline to effect after this and made good yards however could not turn this into points after solid defence from Ronan and Shane Gillespie. Declan Gallagher won the penalty for the home team in front of the posts with Cannon adding the three points taking Donegal two scores away from BHSFP. The flood gates then opened in the last fifteen minutes with Donegal scoring three tries in quick succession. Donegal’s fourth try was a carbon copy of the third with Cannon and Boyle linking up, this time putting McMurray in space who popped it outside to Cannon who stepped the covering defence to score his second of the day and added the conversion from out wide on the right.
From the restart centre Lee Moseley brushed past his opposite number and fed the ball to O’Callaghan who drew the defence and gave it out to McMurray who was playing on the wing at this stage after a leg injury forced him from the centre. This did not stop him though and barged his way over three Belfast players to score in the corner. The home teams sixth try of the day came shortly afterwards with O Donnell breaking through the line off a ruck just inside the BHSFP half and offloaded to O Callaghan to score under the posts to leave the score 51-22 after Cannon added the 2 points taking his tally of the day to 32 setting a club record for points scored in one senior match. BHSFP to their credit played on and with the last play of the game scored a well taken try in the corner after nice backline play.
Final score Donegaltown RFC 1st 51 Belfast Highschool Former Pupils 27
Another good day for the Donegal outfit who are enjoying their best season in years. There is one league game remaining against Randlestown on April 14th at home.
Team
Keith Walsh, Emmet Brogan, Neville Connaghan, Shaun Mahon, Mark O Donnell, Ronan Gillespie, Shane Gillespie, Jimmy Brogan, Pete-so Cannon, Rory Boyle, Lee Moseley, Gareth McMurray, Joe Kennedy, Declan Gallagher, Donagh O Callaghan
by
The ’Ardman
photo captions:
1:Ronan Gillespie shows his appreciation for Declan Gallagher (in the headlock!) following great rucking that produced a pivotal penalty for the homeside!
2:Pete-so Cannon supported by Donagh O Callaghan goes in for his second try under the posts
3:Shaun Mahon, the youngest player on the Donegal Town Team with the youngest and cutest supporter on the day!
