Match Report: BGF Ravens vs 3XV
BGF Ravens RFC 0-16 Bective Rangers FC
An outstanding defensive performance from the Bective 3XV was the foundation for their win in the O’Connor Cup first round away to BGF Ravens. Our battles with Ravens over the years have always produced firey contests but today, Bective manhandled the grizzled Ravens pack with pure ferocity and intensity.
The heavy showers, hours and minutes before kickoff, made the pitch very soft underfoot. But today was a day that Bective were never going to be beaten. The early exchanges were fraught. Within the first 10 minutes, both sides were guilty of some late, savage tackles but it was Bective who laid down the early markers. Centre Luis Santana, winger George Beeby and the whole Bective pack made monstrous tackles in the opening exchanges, letting Ravens know we weren’t going to be bullied on a wet and mucky afternoon in Mount Temple.
Early pressure was applied by Bective, leading to a penalty after Ravens were pinged by referee Mark Graham for a high tackle. In cup, you take your points and captain Stephen Fox immediately pointed to the sticks. Out half Henry Carroll duly obliged, 0-3 after 7 mins. The next 20 mins Ravens dominated, but the Bective defence was resolute and stood firm. Ravens were camped on the Bective line after 19 phases of being repelled and prop Edouard Perrier picked his moment for the jackal, winning the turnover penalty against a dejected Ravens. Bective exited well and repeated intelligent phases lead to another Ravens infringement. Carroll nailed the 3 pointer in what can only be described as a “bump and run”, the ball bouncing off the crossbar and over for a well earned 3 points. By such narrow margins are cup matches won.
Bective continued to hammer away at the Ravens try line and but for a slippery ball and some hurried passing, Bective may well have scored a try. As it was, despite repeated Ravens attempts to exit, the Bective back three of Beeby, wing Emmet Geraghty and fullback Aerton Griffin fielded with ease and continued to apply the pressure. Superb work by the Bective pack eventually had them camped on the Ravens line and an unfortunate knock on with the line begging saw a try go amiss. Bective were playing with an offside penalty advantage and Carroll knocked it over from close range to send Bective 0-9 into halftime.
The feeling and chat at halftime was one of positivity, knowing we had more in the tank and could kick on in the second half.
After the restart, the second half followed the pattern of the first: both sides having extended periods of pressure but stern defensive efforts repelling the attackers. In difficult conditions, Bective produced some excellent phase play. Centres Santana and Matt Sheppard barged through the Ravens line repeatedly. The front row of Perrier, Eoin McIntyre and Gavin Walsh made the tough, hard inches that win knockout rugby. Second rows Ryan Murtagh, Stephen Gibbons and loose forwards Ed O’Sullivan and David O’Mahony were never found wanting for hard carries, support plays or crucial tackles. Blindside flanker Rob Doyle in particular was superb at the rucks ensuring Bective continued to retain possession phase after phase.
The relentless pressure exerted by the Bective pack eventually caused the Ravens defence to fail. After Carroll found excellent territory deep in the Ravens half from a halfway line penalty, Murtagh called for a lineout maul. Superb set up and power from the pack made excellent yardage, trundling along against an ineffective maul defence. Several phases marshalled by scrum half Captain Fox, saw Bective batter the Ravens line. Finally number 8 O’Mahony picked a superb line and with beautiful hands and a soft offload, put open side O’Sullivan through a gap to score the game’s only try and the only score of the second half. Carroll nailed the conversion to take his stats to 11 points in the game and 4 kicks from 6.
Ravens to their credit continued to fight but excellent defensive interventions by Bective frustrated them. Notable defensive efforts in the last quarter included a kick and chase by Griffin and Geraghty, an outstanding steal in our ‘22, kick and chase from sub flanker Adam Murphy and a crucial halfway intercept by sub back Anthony McLeod ensured Ravens would be “nilled” on their home turf. The Bective bench made a tremendous impact with cup veterans Ross Jones, Ross “Mouse” O’Donovan and Dave O’Loughlin contributing to a superb effort from start to finish.
It was fitting that the game ended on our 5 metre line after Ravens tried to vain to get some points on the board. Bective were awarded a turnover penalty and Carroll hammered it into touch for full time. A brilliant victory with the heart, courage and desire of the 3XV squad on full display. Coaches Col Bathe and Shane Comer couldn’t have been prouder of the effort shown
A big thank you to all Bective supporters who came out to cheer us on, notably President Michael Shalloe who had some great words for the lads in the sheds afterwards.
Next, we face our neighbours Railway Union RFC in the semi-final on Sunday April 14th, 3pm KO in Park Avenue. All support is welcome as we go on hunting for silverware.
FT score: BGF Ravens RFC 0-16 Bective Rangers FC
Scorers: Ed O’Sullivan (1 try), Henry Carroll (1 con, 3 pens)
15. Aerton Griffin 14. Emmet Geraghty 13. Luis Santana 12. Matt Sheppard 11. George Beeby 10. Henry Carroll 9. Stephen Fox (C); 1. Edouard Perrier 2. Eoin McIntyre 3. Gavin Walsh 4. Ryan Murtagh 5. Stephen Gibbons 6. Rob Doyle 7. Ed O’Sullivan 8. Dave O’Mahony
Subs: 16. Ross Jones 17. Ross O’Donovan 18. David O’Loughlin 19. Adam Murphy 20.Anthony McLeod
