Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 14th January 2023 @ 2.30pm – Shamrock Lodge

Boyne RFC 0 – 24 Bective Rangers FC

Boyne’s home record squashed in the mud and Bective collect maximum points.

*Photo Credit: Judith Chalmers MacEneaney (Boyne RFC)*

Shamrock Lodge is a strange rugby ground, with its long walk from the clubhouse to the playing pitch, and a lot of teams don’t enjoy coming to the Lodge, but that is what Boyne thrive on – this gives them the advantage. Boyne, unbeaten record in the Leinster League at the Lodge stretches back to December 2019, where they had an impressive 13 home wins on their own patch, over the course of three years.

Bective’s visit to the Lodge was no different, with a stiff bitterly cold breeze blowing down the pitch towards the clubhouse, complemented by a blinding setting sun, Bective sensibly opted to play with all the elements and allowed Boyne for the first half, cope and use all their home experience. After a fast start, Bective kicked-off deep into the 22 and after a series of quick rucks with just two minutes on the clock, Matthew Gilsenan crashed over for a try. The conversion was missed, a difficult kick with the wind causing a lot of problems, Bective led 5 -0

Both sides continued to try combat the weather variables by playing possession rugby and for the next 15 minutes it looked as if this strategy would pay dividends when Boyne managed to exit their own half, only for the boot of Dylan Carpenter keeping Boyne on the back foot. Bective played a patient game and moved the ball with skill and purpose and after being awarded several penalties, opted to scrum, due to the weather conditions. With the Bective scrum beginning to hum, and the forwards began to dominate the Boyne pack, Mark Bennet touched down for a Bective try. Again, the conversion was missed but the score 10 - 0 for Bective.

With the bitter weather conditions and Bective dominating in all areas of the pitch, discipline became a problem for Boyne, unable to exit their own half and after some ‘backchat’ to the referee, Mr Cillian Hogan, ARLB IRFU from Old Belvedere RFC, the Boyne #3 Hugh Carolan was sent to the bin. With the extra man, Bective upped the speed of the game, as it ticked towards half-time, and due to the intense pressure by the pack, following a lineout, Matthew Gilsenan scored a second try. With the conversion by Mikey O’Hare, the score was now 17 – 0. With injuries and players needing attention, the game was stop-start, the Referee played an additional 10 minutes of injury time which for Bective they used to their advantage. Following another penalty awarded, Bective opted to scrum only for No.8, the lively Jamie Lawless, to score a try. Matthew Gilsenan added the points to leave Bective with a commanding 24 – 0 interval lead and a bonus point in the bag.

Half Time – Boyne RFC 0 – 24 Bective Rangers FC

From the restart Boyne kicked deep, but as the blinding sun had set during the interval, Bective could deal with the elements and continued, as in the first half, with strong carries by Mattie Keane, on his return from injury and his first outing of the season (just like old times), Tiarnan McCloskey and Jamie Lawless. In fact,the tight 8 and replacement forwards, Rodie Gens, Dan Byrne and Connie Camper, to a man, were outstanding in both ball skills and discipline - only one penalty conceded by Bective in the second half – continued to dominate the Boyne pack. Injury forced Dylan Carpenter off and Bernard made use of the bench, with Bobby Holland moving to scrum half and Tim Maloney to the wing with Shane O’Meara moving to centre, Bective began to move the ball wide at all opportunities and stretch the Boyne defence. As the second half failed to produce a score from either side, Bective continued to control the game and didn’t allow Boyne any worthwhile attacking opportunities.

Frustrated in their efforts, Boyne’s discipline continued to be punished by the Referee and on 60 minutes, Boyne #3 and vice-captain Hugh Carolan got a straight red card for a high tackle. As the game rumbled towards full-time, Bective made good use of ‘’the rolling subs’’ as playing conditions continued to deteriorate.

Again, full marks to Bernard and his coaching staff on a great result and with 9 rounds completed we are four points clear of the rest – next up is home to Kilkenny on 21st January and our chance to reverse the result of our meeting, 23 – 13 in Foulkstown earlier in the season.

Full Time - Boyne FC 0 – 24 Bective Rangers FC

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 Dylan Carpenter, 1 Colin Jackson, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Tom Dever, 4 Mark Bennett, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Matthew Keane, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 Jamie Lawless.

Replacements: 16 Rodrigo Gens, 17 Dan Byrne, 18 Connie Camper, 19 Tim Maloney, 20 Seb Berti Jun.

Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A Bective Rangers FC vs Boyne FC

Played 4, Won 4, Draw 0, Lost 0. - Points vs Boyne – 97pts (14T) – 31pts (4T)

Match Report: Boyne vs 1st XV

Bective Winning Start To The Year

Annual Club Dinner 2023