v’s BHSFP
Carrick lose...
The Maxol-sponsored Carrick 1st XV lost narrowly, by 22 points to 20, to Belfast
High School FP in the League at Woodlawn on Saturday 19 January. Although in the
lead on three occasions, never behind by more than four points, and out-scoring the
visitors by three tries to one, Carrick could not get sufficient control of territory
and possession in the last quarter to prevent the visitors getting the points they
needed. Carrick were not helped by yet again having to field a much changed side,
with some of the changes having to be made late in the day. They were further hampered
by an injury to lock Terry McCracken who, although he played on with his leg strapped
and continued to be effective in the line-out, was not able to make his normal contribution
in open play. Despite these problems, the home side put up a creditable performance
for an hour or so but High School were, in the end, good enough to take control in
the later stages and grind out a win.
Carrick began well and took the lead after just two minutes when, following a penalty
kick to touch in the High School 22, good line-out ball, quick possession from a
ruck and crisp passing in mid-field enabled wing Paul Saberton to go round his marker
and score in the right hand corner. The try was not converted. For the remainder
of the first quarter matters were fairly even in terms of territory and possesssion
but the visitors clawed their way into the lead courtesy of a penalty after six minutes
and a rather inebriated(in the words the great Bill McLaren!) drop goal. During this
period there was a lot of aimless kicking by both sides but High School went further
ahead on twenty-seven minutes with a somewhat fortuitous "in-off" (the post )penalty
kick. However, Carrick took the lead once again on thirty-four minutes when a tap
penalty set up a series of picks and drives in the visitosr' 22 and then a long miss
pass was gathered by Kirk MacEwan who dived over in the corner. The try was not converted
to leave Carrick leading by 10 points to 9 and this remained the score until half-time.
Carrick extended their lead after six minutes of the second half when Karl Wilkinson
converted a penalty. There were, however, signs that High School were begining to
take control of the game. They re-gained the lead on fourteen minutes when they forced
their way over the Carrick line following a scrum and a series of picks and drives.
The try was converted.The attacking position had been set up by an intercept in their
own half from which the High School centre looked to be heading for a try himself
but was chased and pulled down by Carrick left winger Daryl Crothers. Just three
minutes after the High School try, Carrick re-gained the lead when Justin McGrillis,
who had a good game at No.8, raced in from the visitosrs' 22 following a series of
picks and drives, with Glen Picken, Richard Higgins and Clark Blair prominent.Karl
Wilkinson added the points to give Carrick a 20 points to 16 lead. However, the territorial
control now being exercised by High school began to tell and they reduced the deficit
to one point with a successful penalty after twenty-five minutes and took the lead
on thirty-two minutes with another penalty. From this point on they were camped in
and around the home side's 22 and gave Carrick little chance to re-gain the lead.
On the one occasion Carrick did get field position in the High school 22, they turned
the ball over and the game finished with High School probably just about deserved
winners by 22 point to 20.
The Carrick team against High School was:
N. Johnston; P. Saberton, K. Quinn, C. James, D. Crothers; K. Wilkinson, G.Picken;
C. Blair, G. Baxter, P.Greenaway, T. McCracken, J. Moffett, K. MacEwan, R. Higgins,
J. McGrillis.
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