Match Report: 1XV vs Monkstown
A View from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD
Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 4th November 2023 @ 2.30pm – Donnybrook
Discipline and Defence were Key to Bective win
Table topping Monkstown arrived in buoyant and confident mood to Donnybrook on Saturday last, having had four wins from four in the league, and 19 points out of a maximum 20 point to their credit. This game produced yet another classic between Bective and Monkstown, maybe not for the ‘fainthearted’ Bective support, but has reignited the joy of Club rugby in competitive games against ‘neighbours’. After the mid-term World Cup Final break, it was down to business for Bernard and the coaching team, and a few minor tweaks, with Tom Dever stepping into the front row and Jamie Lawless at #8.
Bective kicked-off playing towards the Wesley end with a slight Northwest breeze in their favour, and match referee was Ross Shaughnessy LBIRFU, unattached, but a former Galwegian. Two minutes into the game Bective were awarded a penalty to which Mikey O’Hare kicked the 3 points. From the restart, Bective were ‘ball watching’ to which Monkstown capitalised and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed but Bective settled down and began to put some phases together only for Monkstown to be penalised and Micky slotted the 3 points to put Bective back in the lead, 6 points to 5.
With a dominate pack, led by Captain Mattie Keane, (took three balls against the head in the first half), pressurised Monkstown to conceding scrum penalties, which gave the Bective backs opportunities to run the ball only for Monkstown’s Barry McFaul, on 17 minutes, to intercept and sprint for the line. Fraser Wright converted from a difficult angle and Monkstown led 12 – 6. From the restart, the referee penalised Monkstown and Bective opted to kick to the corner. From the lineout, the pack continued its dominance and drive to the line. Connie Camper touched down and Mikey added the points, 13 – 12 to Bective.
Monkstown’s ill-discipline continued, and following a scrum penalty, followed by a penalty advantage, Captain Keane, on 30 minutes, crashed over for a try, and after another successful kick by Mickey, Bective were now 20 – 12 in front. Monkstown continued to battle at the breakdown with Hooker and their Captain Tony McGinness to the fore, only to suffer the referees whistle. From this penalty advantage, on 33 minutes, the Bective pack drove to the line again with Scott Baron to muscle over from close range. Yet another successful kick by Mikey, to put some ‘daylight’ between the sides for Bective to lead by 27 – 12. On the stroke of halftime, Monkstown were awarded a penalty and Fraser Wright slotted over for a halftime score 27 – 15.
Half Time – Bective Rangers FC 27 – 15 Monkstown FC
From the restart the first score after the break was always going to be crucial and the visitors opted to play open attacking rugby and after some sustained determined defensive work by Bective, but as resources were stretched on 47 minutes, Monkstown’s Barry McFaul scored out wide. The conversion was missed but the score was now 27 – 20. Ten minutes later the score was reversed when Captain Mattie, following a scrum penalty, opted to run the ball and assisted by Tiarnan McCloskey and a slicing run by Shane O’Meara, was in for a second try. Mikey, keeping his 100% kicking record slotted over the kick – Bective lead was now 34 – 20.
On 63 minutes, Referee had enough of Monkstown ill-discipline (19 penalties conceded), and with his first yellow card, sent their Captain Tony McGinness to the bin. Mikey kicked the 3 points to extend the score to 37 – 20. With their Captain in the bin, the visitors went on the attack and for 18 phases of play had Bective on the backfoot for finally their influential Prop, John Dever to crash over for a try. Alan Hughes kicked the conversion for a score of 37 – 27.
The visitors continued their attacking style and now back to full complement were again on the Bective line, but some ferocious defence by the Bective team led to Matthew Gilsenan receiving a yellow card on 73 minutes. The visitors opted to run and after another 12 phases of attack and dogged defence by Bective, on 77 minutes the visitors scored beyond the stretched Bective defence. The conversion was missed, and the score was now 37 – 32. From the restart, with just seconds remaining all Bective had to do was to ‘own the ball’ but the visitors were penalised again. Mickey opted for a kick at goal from way out – could he keep his 100% kicking record and deny Monkstown a bonus point? - the kick had the distance but just drifted left and wide. Nonetheless a fantastic kicking display from Mikey O’Hare.
This Bective team had some outstanding performances in what a tremendous matchday squad effort was –. The front row, led by Connie Camper, the live wire Scott Barron and gentle Big Tom Dever, worked hard at every scrum, lineout, maul and ruck, Ger Ward at the lineout stood out supported by his big men Tadgh O’Dwyer, Mark Bennett, Tiernan McCloskey, Jamie Lawless and Capt. Mattie Keane, while Bobby Holland has found ‘his mojo’ at 9. Mikey O’Hare, Benji Kealy and Shane O’Meara were the pick of the backs. With 5 rounds completed we are just three points behind the league leaders, but we have a busy November fixture schedule. Next up in the Leinster League on 11th November is away to Suttonians, followed by on 18th November, home to Gorey in the Energia All Ireland Junior Cup Quarter Final, and on 25th November its home to Ashbourne in the Leinster League. To quote the great Emmett Sheridan, - Your support is KEY to the Clubs success.
Full Time - Bective Rangers FC 37 – 32 Monkstown FC
Bective Rangers FX – 1XV 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Mikey O'Hare, 13 Benji Kealy, 12 Titapu Pairama-Lewington, 11 Shane O'Meara, 10 Matthew Gilsenan, 9 Bobby Holland, 1 Tom Dever, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Connie Campher, 4 Mark Bennett, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Mattie Keane, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 Jamie Lawless.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Byrne, 17 David Kealy, 18 Tadhg O’Dwyer, 19 Kieron White, 20 Nicolo Tognon.
Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A Bective Rangers FC vs Monkstown FC
Played 5, Won 3, Draw 0, Lost 2. - Points vs Monkstown – 128pts (15T) – 113pts (14T)
