Match Report: 1st XV vs Boyne RFC
Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 25th September @ 3.00pm – Donnybrook
Bective Rangers FC 31 – 15 Boyne RFC
This was a clash of Leinster League Division 1A and 1B Champions – promoted buoyant Boyne RFC, following their 7 try demolition of Suttonians in their previous outing, tried to impose their ‘A’ game on Bective Rangers only for them to leave Donnybrook empty-handed.
Again, this week, in the run up to this outing, Bective suffered several more injuries with Shane O’Loughlin deputising for the injured Dylan Carpenter at scrum half, in a reshuffled pack Killian Hanley at lock with Eoin Vaughan moving to 6 and Jamie Lawless at number 8.
In excellent conditions and with a decent attendance, the game, officiated by Mr.Bernie White ARLB, from Enniscorthy Rugby Club, from the off as in their previous outing, Bective started the game at a high tempo. Playing into the Wesley end, with the clock at 2 minutes, the Referee awarded Bective a penalty on the 22m line. Up steps Matthew Gilsenan with his reliable boot, but the ball struck the lefthand upright and the opportunity of 3 points was missed. Boyne restarted, and after some deft offloading in their backline play, were awarded a penalty on Bective’s 22m line. Boyne’s kicker, No. 8 Karl Keogh duly converted, and Boyne lead 3 – 0.
The Bective response was immediate and after a series of scrums by the dominant Bective pack, Matthew Gilsenan scored a brilliant try out wide. The difficult kick was missed and Bective lead 5 -3 after 9 minutes of play. With the Bective pack dominating but their lineout misfiring, the Boyne halfbacks of Charles Gallen and Kevin McCleery continued to frustrate the Bective backline, but on 29 minutes, Kevin McCleery, the Boyne out half was yellow carded for a high tackle. With an extra man, Bective upped the pressure on Boyne and with some fine plays by scrum half Shane O’Loughlin, quick ruck ball and turnovers resulted in two wonderful tries by our South African tighthead, Connie Campher on 31 and 34 minutes, both converted by Matthew Gilsenan and Bective lead by 19 – 3 at half time
Half Time – Bective Rangers FC 19 – 3 Boyne RFC
At half time, both teams using rolling subs Bective introduced Nick Harvey at second row for Killian Hanly, Jack O’Carroll at scrum half for Shane O’Loughlin and Rodi Gens at tighthead for Connie Campher. Boyne made changes and after the restart, Boyne upped the intensity and on 43 minutes, Jack Mitchell, Boyne No. 14, got in for a try out wide. Karl Keogh missed the conversion, and the score now was 19 - 8 in favour of Bective. Boyne began to dominate in the scrum on top of some problems for Bective on their line out, however some great counter rucking by Mark Bennett, Jamie Lawless and Eoin Vaughan saw Tiernan McCloskey burst over for a try on 50 minutes, converted by Matthew Gilsenan, and the score was 26 – 8.
Bective, now had the try bonus point in the bag but the Boyne response was immediate and after a period of ill-discipline by Bective, Boyne spread the ball wide from a quick tap, for their tireless scrum half, Charles Gallen to score under the posts. With the conversion by Keogh and the score now at 26 – 15, Boyne continued to chase the game. After another period of ill-discipline by Bective,Jamie Lawless was harshly yellow carded on 61 minutes. With Jamie in the bin, Scott Barron moved to the backrow with Dan Byrne at hooker, Boyne continued to run the ball wide, but Bective are like rocks and good solid defence by the ‘ever green’ Bobby Holland, Shane O’Meara, Tim Moloney and substitute Dagan Morris kept a clean sheet to deny Boyne a score. On Jamie’s return to play, normal business resumed and Bective continued to attack the Boyne line with a try from Rodie Gens on 79 minutes. Matthew Gilsenan’s kick just sailed wide on the right to leave the score 31 – 15.
Full Time - Bective Rangers FC 31 – 15 Boyne RFC
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Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A
Bective Rangers FC vs Boyne FC –
Played 3, Won 3, Draw 0, Lost 0.
Points vs Boyne – 73pts (10 T) – 31 pts (4 T)
