MATCH REPORT: 1XV vs WICKLOW
September 21st, 2024 – A view from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD 🐕
Bective Rangers FC 20 Wicklow RFC 23
ROUND ONE of the Leinster League saw Bective capitulate to a late try by Wicklow prop, Shane Farrar, with the game's last play.
In a tough physical performance, both sides fought to the final whistle, and it was in the final 10 minutes, that the lead changed 3 times before the Wicklow secured the winning score.
From the kick-off, both sides tried to impose their game, but Bective drew first blood. After 3 minutes of play, and a delightful kick by out-half Oly Foote to the in-goal area, Scott Barron caught and touched down for the opening score. Mikey O’Hare added the conversion and Bective lead 7 – 0.
From the restart, the Wicklow out-half, Paddy McKensie, was up to his old tricks and at every opportunity spun the ball wide to stretch the Bective defence, and on 7 minutes winner Ryan Watts popped up in midfield and set off to score under the posts. Converted by Luddy and the score was 7 – 7.
Wicklow continued to press, but Bective stood firm. Scott Barron had to retire due to a rib injury and was replaced by David Kealy. After a series of penalties, Referee Ethan Lyons issued a yellow card to Wicklow’s South African loosehead Dewald Barnard who last season featured in the AIL with Terenure.
With Wicklow down to 14 men, they upped their game and became more physical resulting in stoppages for slight injuries and on 30 minutes, a penalty for Bective resulted in a lineout on the visitor's 5m line. Bective lost the lineout and Wicklow cleared their line only for Mikey O’Hare to set up a counterattack. Three rucks later, and with the Wicklow defence bunched in midfield, a looped pass from fullback Tim Carroll sent Mikey over for a try. Conversion missed but the score was now 12 – 7.
Half Time – Bective Rangers FC 12 Wicklow RFC 07
From the restart, Wicklow began to show their intent as they spread the ball fast and wide to stretch the Bective defence. On 44 minutes, following a Referee’s warning to Bective, Joe Quilter was yellow carded.
Not once, but on several occasions, Bective were to withstand the Wicklow attack and on 46 minutes, Fionn Luddy, the visitor's captain was in for a try. The conversion was missed and the score 12 -12. But back came Bective, following a lineout on the visitor's 22, with some great forward driving by the Bective pack, assisted by Donagh Lawler and then a collection of the back line joined the drive for the line, number 8, Gavin Kelly touched down for a try. Mikey missed his kick, and the score was now 17 – 12.
The game was nip and tuck for the next 10 minutes, with both sides spurning chances, and Wicklow opting for lineouts to try and stretch their score. After a series of lineouts and drives by the visitors, and some stout defence, Bective continued to frustrate the Wicklow attack. However, two penalties on 72 and 74 minutes gave the visitors the lead, 17 – 18. But this was short-lived as Bective’s Mikey O’Hare slotted a penalty for just inside the visitor’s half to regain the lead, 20 – 18.
With 76 minutes on the clock, Wicklow threw the ‘kitchen sink’ at Bective and after a series of driving rucks by the visitors to the Bective line, the referee called a scrum for Bective. Wicklow engaged early and Bective were awarded a relieving free kick. But the visitors were not finished yet and were awarded a penalty on the halfway line. They opted to kick to the corner for a lineout. With the Bective defensive line in place, Wicklow opted to move the ball left and then right to stretch the Bective defence, only for their out-half McKensie to put Farrer in for the try. The conversion was missed but the score on full-time was now 20 – 23 to Wicklow.
For Bective, it was a disappointing defeat where they had some excellent performances, with Matthew Gilsenan, 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 return to Oak Park, Carlow on Saturday for a 5.00 pm Kick-off. Their last ‘competitive’ visit was 18th November 2006 in Division 2 of the AIL and on that occasion, Bective had a narrow win, 21 – 18.
Full Time – Bective Rangers FC 20 Wicklow FC 23
Bective Rangers 1XV: 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Mikey O’Hare, 13 Joe Quilter 12 Matthew Gilsenan, 11 Craig Cantwell, 10 Oliver ‘’Oly’’ Foote, Capt. 9 Conor Halpenny, 1 Rory Mulvihill, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Tadhg O’Dwyer, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Jamie Lawless, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey ©, 8 Gavin Kelly.
Finishers: 16 David Kealy, 17 Tom Dever 18 Donagh Lawler, 19 Ciaran Buggy, 20 Conor Murphy.
Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A - Bective Rangers FC vs Wicklow RFC
Played 7, Won 5, Draw 0, Lost 2. Points vs Wicklow – 169 pts (23 T) – 96 pts (12 T)
