Bective go five points clear
December 7th 2024 – A view from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD - 🐕
WICKLOW RFC 03 - 29 BECTIVE RANGERS FC
ROUND EIGHT of the Leinster League Div 1 and Bective made it seven wins from eight on Saturday in Ashtown Lane to go five points clear at the head of the table.
Weather conditions were severe, with a gale blowing directly down the pitch towards the clubhouse side, Wicklow opted to play with the wind.
Bective made their intentions clear from the start, two penalties later, and a rumble by the pack, Jamie Lawless benefiting, was in for the first try. The conversion was kicked and after 2 minutes of play, it was 7 points for Bective.
From the restart, Bective were back on the attack, only for Wicklow to turn the ball over and a goal line relieving kick by Wicklow’s Paddy McKenzie, brought play into the Bective half. This ball was fielded by Tim Carroll, inside the Bective 10m line, and immediately did a ‘show-an-go’, confused the Wicklow defence, and set off on a 60m sprint to the line and double the advantage in the 8th minute. The conversion was missed but it was now 12 – 0 for Bective
Wicklow tried to make sense of what was happening, Bective’s defence and attack play domination was clear, and Wicklow settled for three points from a penalty on 22nd minute.
Bective exerted enough pressure to force the binning of replacement prop Jason Byrne and got a try of their own through hooker Scott Barron, converted by Mikey O’Hare, into the wind, came off the upright, dropped onto the crossbar and over to leave a sixteen-point gap with Bective holding a 19-3 lead on half-time.
At the restart, wave after wave of Wicklow attack came to nought, thanks to the well-structured and coached Bective side.
On 65 minutes, following a scrum on the Wicklow 22, James Gallagher broke the Wicklow defence, supported by Mattie Keane, who was under the posts for a bonus point try. Mikey O’Hare converted, and the score was 29 – 03 for Bective.
Wicklow again came back in attack, but the well-drilled Bective defence stood firm, forcing turnover-ball, however, conditions didn’t allow for the usual slick running of the back line.
As the penalty count for both sides started to mount, the weather and discipline impacted greatly but a penalty to Bective in the 70th minute, converted by Mikey O’Hare stretched the lead to 26 points.
For Bective, this was an excellent ‘team’ performance, with Bobby Holland, Tim Carroll and Oly Foote the pick of the backs. Ger Ward, Gavin Kelly and Donagh Lawler showed well in the forwards.
Next up – Bective 1st XV is a visit to Barban Hill, Dromore, for the semi-final of AIL Cup – Saturday 14th December @ 2.30 pm.
Full Time – Wicklow FC 03 Bective Rangers FC 29
Bective Rangers 1XV: 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Mikey O’Hare, 13 Craig Cantwell 12 Matthew Gilsenan, 11 Shane O’Meara 10 Oliver ‘’Oly’’ Foote, 9 Conor Halpenny, 1 Rory Mulvihill, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Luke Mion, 4 Jamie Lawless, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Matthew Keane, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey ©, 8 James Gallagher.
Replacements: 16 Conor Kelly, 17 Tadhg O’Dwyer, 18 Donagh Lawler, 19 Gavin Kelly, 20 Bobby Holland.
Scorers: Jamie Lawless, Tim Carroll, Scott Barron, Matthew Keane try each; Mikey O’Hare 3 Cons, 1 Pen.
Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A - Bective Rangers FC vs Wicklow RFC
Played 8, Won 6, Draw 0, Lost 2. Points vs Wicklow – 198 pts (27 T) – 99 pts (12 T)
