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Literally, A Jaw Dropping Game
This was an amazing game. BMHS had to make some telling adjustments to deal with some minor injuries and the biggest of those changes resulted in power house centre Boyce being moved to full back. As a result, Boyce was kept off the score board, but was still delivery huge tackles around the field.
As a result even more of the defensive workload would fall to Lund at 10, who did well with the task.
Lund Tackling An Airbourne Pharuns
BMHS required many players to stand out to keep pace in this one. Atkins was a pleasant surprise and rose to the occasion.
Atkins With An Important Late Score
The Atkins try seemed to be the emotional boost BMHS needed.
Best Feeling In the World
Cullinan Running Downhill
BMHS scored late in the first half and Jensen converted both 1st half tries. For MHS LeBlance converted 2/3 of the MHS tries. The half time score was 19-14.
Late 1st Half Try for Sauter. One of two tries on the day.
The second half saw MHS increase their lead by 2 points sue to a converted try vs a BMHS unconverted try. The score was 29-22 for MHS and BMHS seemed to have an emotional charge about them. With only 10 minutes left, BMHS looked to have more left in the tank.
After watching MHS only score once in the 2nd half versus ODC recently, it might have been fair to think this could be a finger bitter.
Lapierre Puts Down The Back Breaking Try/Friendly Fire
With good support of Hassen(who quietly scored 2 tries in this one) Lapierre made it to the corner. With Cullinan in pursuit and Boyce on an intercept course, it was teammates who came out the worse for wear. Cullinan would suffer a hard smack on the arm. Boyce would be reminded to attempt a wrap in the tackle, as the shoulder charge is foul play.
Lund On One of Many Line Breaks
The LaPierre try made the score 34-22 and seemed to end the game. MHS would score another try, this time a very long run from prop A. Jones, which was converted.
The score sheet lists try scores as follows:
MHS: Paterson, LaPierre, A.Jones(2), Hassan(2). Missing from the score sheet is a try, which if Memory serves was a 2nd half try by Pharuns that was scored under the posts.
BMHS: Lund, Atkins & Sauter(13).
Clowater Played A Blinder.
Great efforts of some players kept off the score sheet would be headed up by BMHS flanker Clowater. A gutsy effort worth watching. Great in the tackle and dangerous with ball in hand.
BMHS 9 Mallard supplied great service and even threw the line out balls, which were very good.
MHS Flanker Dooley had a great all around game. This is the player who will deliver a huge try when the teams need it. Quick at the ruck and relentless running with the ball.
MHS Prop Pairing of Paterson and Jones(both of whom scored), deserve another mention. Rarely do you see dominant scrumming, great defence and dangerous running from a prop pairing, and these two had many carriers and didn’t slow down.
Final Score: MHS 41- BMHS 22
These match ups never lack intensity and both sides had lots of loud fan support. The crowd did not go home disappointed. The match started with aggressive tackling and rucking from both teams. It was clear both teams were going to leave everything on the field. The counter rucking was quick and aggressive as often both teams had the defence stepping over the player or getting fingertips on the ball.
A high tempo game from the kick off looked to favour ODC. Some great line breaks by the MHS front row swung the momentum quickly.
LeBlance would miss the opening conversion but would hit the remainder for the day, finishing with a very impressive 4/5 and tallied up 13 points.
The bright spots of play by ODC began to be overshadowed by the MHS level of play. MHS 8 Man Walker had a sure try but touched the ball down short of the line. This was followed quickly by LeBlance touching one down in the corner, only to have stepped out of bounds, ever so slightly, a few yards short of the line.
The opening kick off was fielded by HTHS fly half turned scrum half, Hamer. This was telling of how many touches and probing runs he would have on the day. Shortly after RHS were awarded a penalty and kicked into the corner for a 10 metre line out. Trimble came away with the ball and moved it wide in an effort to run it out of their end zone.
, he left the game for precautionary reasons after contact with a team-mate during a tackle.
The outcome was predictable. A good effort by the short side flanker for RHS, was not well enough supported to keep Fall out of the end zone. HTHS had the first try of the game.
Not enough can be said about the Captains in this one. Hawkes for RHS and Hamer for HTHS ensured this game didn’t get chippy even in the face of multiple tackle related penalties and yellow cards. The tackle infringements didn’t seem malicious, but certainly were outside of what is required to maintain safe play. The free flowing of yellow cards via experienced referee Arsenault helped the Captains ensure game control was maintained.
Moncton Black Tide Rugby Football Club 