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HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY — The Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders powered their way across the try line in the last minute Wednesday to hand the James M Hill Tommies a heartbreaking 10-5 defeat in their home opener. The loss moves the Tommies to 1-2 in New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association AAA boys rugby action.

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Darcey McLaughlin photo

PITCH BATTLE – Jimmy Russell and his fellow Tommies played a strong game Wednesday but came out on the losing end of a 10-5 decision to the Highlanders.

There was little to choose between the two teams throughout most of the fixture.

The Tommies threatened early in the first half, looking like they might score, but were turned back by the Highlanders. That was pretty much how most of the half went, with the teams trading possession and play restricted primarily to the middle of the pitch.

Both teams stood their ground and it was a rough and physical match-up with some big, bone-crunching tackles delivered by both teams, drawing reaction from spectators along both touch lines.

Near the midway point of the half the Tommies would threaten again, gaining possession and bringing the ball down within 15 metres of the try line. But from the scrum the Highlanders were able to gain possession and clear the danger leading to more backand- forth play.

The Tommies had an opportunity to go ahead towards the end of the half, after being awarded a penalty kick, but were unsuccessful ending the half 0-0.

The second half began with another great JMH opportunity, only to be turned back once again by HTHS.

The Tommies would then get on the board after gaining possession in mid-pitch and carrying the ball down to set up a scrum near the 22-metre line.

From the scrum the Tommies would gain possession again and it would be David Flanagan who would fight through several Highlander tackles to dive across the line for the try, putting the home side up 5-0.

JMH would fail to get the conversion, however.

After trading possession and failing to gain ground for much of the half, the Highlanders would begin to show signs of life late, coming out of a scrum in the Tommies end and taking the ball across the try line.

HTHS thought they had scored, but the referee blew the play down and said the ball had been held up, meaning no try.

Possession should have come back to the Highlanders five metres from the JMH try line, but vocal protests from HTHS players led to a penalty pushing the teams back and ending the threat.

But a few plays later the Moncton ruggers would draw even with a try to make the score 5-5 as the conversion kick was bounced off the upright.

With time running out, the Highlanders put together a series of passes and a nice run to threaten once again, leading to a try line stand with the game on the line.

The Tommies stood their ground but the Highlanders were not about to back down, forcing their way in for the try to take the 10-5 lead.

The conversion kick would fail, but it didn’t matter as the whistle went immediately after, ending the match.

Jesse Welner and Ben Lass picked up the tries for HTHS who move to 2-0 on the season. The Tommies next fixture is Saturday, May 17, as they host BRHS.