Match Report: 1st XV vs Kilkenny
A View from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD
Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 21st January 2023 @ 2.30pm – Donnybrook
Bective Rangers FC 45 – 25 Kilkenny RFC
Bective kicked off their first home game of 2023 with a 7 Try win over Kilkenny, last season’s Towns Cup champions.
Following last week’s win against Boyne at Shamrock Lodge, this week selection saw a change at scrum-half with the lively Jack O’Carroll replacing injured Dylan Carpenter, a direct swap at tight head, Tom Dever replaced by the fit again Connie Camper and a most welcome return to the bench, second row Tadgh O’Dwyer.
Kilkenny kicked-off, but it was Bective who started strongly with some strong early carries by the forwards, Mark Bennett, Mattie Keane and Tiarnan McCloskey, and after 6 minutes Connie Camper was in for a try. Matthew Gilsenan added the conversion for Bective to lead 7 -0. Kilkenny tried to hit back and their half-backs spread the ball wide at every opportunity, to keep the ball away from the dominant Bective pack. Kilkenny then had a scrum on their 22 but the dominant Bective pack turned the ball over, and following a number of quick recycled balls, with some slick hand passing by Captain Colin Jackson, allowed Jamie Lawless in for a try. The conversion was missed but the score was 12 – 0 with 19 minutes gone.
From the Kilkenny restart, Bective did not deal with the ball and Referee Clive Wardrop ARLB IRFU from Portarlington RFC awarded a scrum to Kilkenny. However, the Kilkenny hooker was unable to continue, and as they did not have front row cover, play resumed with uncontested scrums and Kilkenny reduced to 14 men. This caused a slight confusion, as the referee allowed Kilkenny field 7 in the scrum, and shortly afterwards the referee awarded Kilkenny a penalty for off-side. Jake McDonald the Kilkenny captain stepped up and the score now was 12 – 03 to Bective.
Uncontested scrums can change the dynamic of a game and Kilkenny continued to move the ball wide at every opportunity. However with some fine defensive work by the pack, and the magical left boot of Tim Carroll, Bective were back on the front foot, and for Tim to receive a slick pass from Bobby Holland to score a try on 28 minutes. The conversion was missed but the score board started to look healthy at 17 points to 3. On 32 minutes Jamie Lawless was replaced by Tadgh O’Dwyer, with Mark Bennett moving to the backrow and Tiarnan McCloskey to number 8. Kilkenny again attempted to run the ball and were awarded a penalty on Bective’s 22 but opted to scrum. With uncontested scrums, this appeared to give Kilkenny the advantage and their dynamic number 8, singlehanded charged for the line, and following a few defensive rucks, crashed over for a Kilkenny try. With the score now at 17 – 08, and halftime approaching, Bective were not relaxing, and after some fine slick ball passing, the combination of Bobby Holland and Shane O’Meara opened the gate for Captain Colin Jackson to score a try. Mikey O’Hare added to points to leave Bective with a commanding 24 – 8 interval lead and a bonus point in the bag.
Half Time – Bective Rangers FC 24 – 8 Kilkenny RFC
From the restart Kilkenny continued to spread the ball wide and it began to pay dividends with their lively scrum-half causing the Bective defence a lot of problems when up popped their captain Jake McDonald to score a try but in his rush to take the conversion, missed the kick and the score was now 24 – 13. For the next 20 minutes, Bective upped their intensity, and the scores began to come with Mattie Keane and Ger Ward grabbing a try each and Mikey O’Hare a brace of conversions, suddenly Bective were ‘out-of-sight’ with the score at 38 points to 13.
However Kilkenny were not giving up and continued to spread the ball, and at every penalty awarded opportunity, opted to scrum (uncontested). Their half-backs, David O’Connor and Loan Lewis ran at the Bective defence putting them on the back foot, for number 7 Garry Dunne to score under the posts. Jake McDonald added the points to bring the score to 38 - 20. Kilkenny now had three tries and began to chase a fourth for a try bonus point, which they got on 76 minutes by their captain Jake McDonald. Jake again rushed the conversion, and the score was 38 – 25. As the clock moved to added time but true to the character of this Bective team and squad, they stuck to their task, with enough time for Shane O’Meara to counter from deep and allow Matthew Gilsenan to finish with a try in a superb individual performance. Mikey O’Hare converting for a convincing victory.
Next up is away to Ashbourne in Milltown House, on 28th January and this will not be an easy fixture as the league table begins to split between potential champions and potential relegation.
Full Time - Bective Rangers FC 45 – 25 Kilkenny RFC
Bective Rangers FX – 1XV 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Shane O'Meara, 13 Bobby Holland, 12 Titapu Pairama-Lewington, 11 Mikey O'Hare, 10 Matthew Gilsenan, 9 Jack O’Carroll, 1 Colin Jackson, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Connie Camper, 4 Mark Bennett, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Matthew Keane, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 Jamie Lawless.
Replacements: 16 Tom Dever, 17 Dan Byrne, 18 Tadgh O’Dwyer, 19 Tim Maloney, 20 Seb Berti Jun.
Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A Bective Rangers FC vs Kilkenny RFC
Played 8, Won 5, Draw 0, Lost 3. - Points vs Kilkenny RFC – 212pts (30T) – 156pts (19T)
