Match Report: 3XV vs Emerald Warriors
Bective Rangers FC 15-10 Emerald Warriors RFC
It was perfect night for rugby in Donnybrook on Friday Jan 26th, as the 3XV took on Emerald Warriors under Friday Night Lights. We were humbled by Warriors in our earlier league meeting, but that match proved a turning point for our season.
Having won two-in-row preChristmas, we narrowly lost away to Lansdowne 46-39 in the first match of 2024. We lead by 20 early in the second half but Lansdowne’s AIL subs made the difference. We were determined to make up for that result against Warriors.
The first quarter of the match was a tight affair, the Bective forwards rumbling up the pitch, making territory, but some loose passing and kicking gave the visitors break away opportunities. But for the excellent scramble defence of back three Aerton Griffin, Emmet Geraghty & John Leahy and out half and captain Daniel “Thirsty” Merker, Warriors could well have scored first. As it was, Bective drew first blood.
After Warriors missed a penalty kick, Merker kicked and gathered a quick ‘22 dropout. After several phases of hard forward carries, the outhalf attacked the line hard, chipping over the onrushing Warriors defence on the bective ‘10, regathering on halfway. A slaloming run with hips like Mick Jagger, Merker bamboozled the opposition defenders and dotted down for the game’s opening score. The conversion from wide on the left was just short but Bective lead 5-0 after 23 mins.
Warriors wanted to run everything but the Bective defence stood firm. Some monstrous tackles around the fringes from Gustavo Ludwig, Dave O’Mahony and Ross “Mouse” O’Donovan let the visitors know they were in a battle. Just shy of half time, Bective were unlucky to be penalised for hands on the ground. Warriors slotted the penalty to make it 5-3 at the break as a very physical half came to an end.
Warriors came storming back into the match right from the kick off. Despite being held up twice, they eventually powered over from close range in the near corner, followed by a superb conversion. 5-10 to the visitors but, as has been the case before, the Bective heads didn’t drop.
Bective played intelligent rugby, Merker and centre Henry Carroll dictating play with classy kicks turning the opposition defence. This smart play eventually lead to our second try. Centre Matt Sheppard carried quick and powerfully, looking like a young Kevin Maggs all match. After one such carry, the ball was worked wide to Carroll who used his cultured left boot to nail a 5 metre 50:22. Bective mauled the resultant lineout which was taken down by warriors. After 3 hard pick and gos were repelled, the ball was popped wide to substitute lock Simon Besanson who powered over with two defenders hanging off him to score a debut try. Merker added the extras. 12-10 after 59 minutes.
There were further opportunities for scores but some loose passing/handling or dogged jackling from the warriors kept Bective out. However, with 10 mins on the clock, warriors strayed offside (not for the first time) with the penalty awarded just inside their 10 metre line. There was no equivocation from Captain Merker who stood over the ball and kicked a sublime penalty, bisecting the uprights and giving us a 15-10 lead going into the final seconds. The kick off was claimed confidently by replacement lock Dave O’Loughlin and with the ruck secured, the ball was booted into touch, referee Cregan blowing the FT whistle.
Outstanding performances weren’t limited to those named above. Flanker Adam Murphy chop tackled anything that moved. Pack leader Ryan “Murt” Murtagh bossed the lineout and lead his pack at the coal face. Front rowers Gav Walsh, Eoin McIntyre, Eoin Bradley and sub Adam Doyle scrummaged well, carried hard and tackled harder. All subs made powerful impacts off the bench to secure the win for the home side, a real 1-22 effort in Donnybrook.
Next up is Tullamore on Saturday Feb 10th in Spollenstown, 3PM Kickoff. A team coach will be heading down to Tullamore on the day and supporters are welcome to come along with the team on the coach and cheer the lads on! Reach out to Col Bathe or Shane Comer if interested.
FT: Bective Rangers FC 15-10 Emerald Warriors
Scorers: Daniel Merker (1 try; 1 conv; 1 pen); Simon Besanson (1 try)
Bective match day squad:
15. Aerton Griffin 14. Emmet Geraghty 13. Henry Carroll 12. Matt Sheppard 11. John Leahy 10. Daniel Merker (C) 9. Ryan O’Connor 1. Gavin Walsh 2. Eoin McIntyre 3. Eoin Bradley 4. Ross O’Donovan 5. Gustavo Ludwig 6. Ryan Murtagh (VC) 7. Adam Murphy 8. Dave O’Mahony. SUBS: 16. Adam Doyle 17. Simon Besanson 18. Niall Godfrey 19. Dave O’Loughlin 20. Zak Facer 21. Sam Briggs 22. Luis Santana
