Match Report: DLSP vs 3XV
DE LA SALLE PALMERSTON FC 17-33 BECTIVE RANGERS FC
The Bective 3XV backed up their outstanding win last week against the (up to then) unbeaten league leaders St Mary’s, with a terrific scalp away to DLSP FC on Friday night (Dec 8th).
Conditions were surprisingly good for Kilternan in December, but the pitch underfoot was heavy. Used to pitch conditions, DLSP made the better start by dominating the opening exchanges and the ruck, thwarting several Bective attacks by poaching Bective ball and winning turnover penalties. Their dominance at the breakdown was rewarded after 15 mins. Bective turnover penalties gave DLSP territory, and despite some superb scramble defence, DLSP eventually crossed the whitewash for the first try of the game, centre Stephen Young converting his own try.
But as they showed last week, Bective regrouped and dominated the second quarter. The pack subsequently owned the breakdown and out half Daniel “Thirsty” Merker was superb all game, pinging balls to the corners, gaining territory and it eventually told. After Adam Murphy stole a lineout deep in DLSP territory, setting a pattern for the night, Bective hammered the DLSP line with referee Owen Keane giving numerous penalty advantages for DLSP infringements. Eventually a tap penalty from Captain Stephen Fox found flanker Ed O’Sullivan who attacked a soft outside shoulder from 5 metres out and he powered home, Merker adding the extras. 7-7 after 28 mins. The Bective pack continued to work tirelessly and after creating a superb platform on the 5 metre line after battering away for several phases, Fox and Merker spun the ball wide finding centre Ferdinand Bachellier who on an outside arc, skinned the DSLP wide defence and dotted down. Merker missed the conversion into a very strong wind. 7-12 after 34 mins and that’s how it stayed until half time.
Like last week, Bective came storming out of the blocks for the second half. With Merker pulling the strings from 10, Bective were again deep in the DLSP ‘22. Back three Nicolo Tognon, Emmet Geraghty and Jules Vanthournout were excellent on the kick chase all game, putting DLSP under serious pressure leading to mistakes and turnover ball for Bective. Repeated carries eventually overwhelmed the DLSP defence and prop Sean Hassett smashed through for the try with Merker adding the extra two. 7-19 after 50 mins.
DLSP had their moments in the half and did pull a try back to make it 12-19, despite quality scramble defence from Bective. But the story of the half was of the home team being repeatedly repelled by a defiant Bective defence both tight and out wide. DLSP’s woes at the lineout continued, and when Bective stole their umpteenth ball on the DLSP 10 metre line, swift hands across the backline saw full back Tognon putting replacement centre Alberic Renividaud into a gap. After a nerve wracking juggle of the ball, the classy centre stepped two DLSP defenders to glide in beside the posts for the try and an easy two points for Merker. 12-26 at the hour.
Despite one or two hairy moments, Bective prevented DLSP from ever gaining a proper foothold in the match and centre Bachellier put the result beyond all doubt with 10 mins left, finding space outside the wide defenders with Merker making it 4/6. DLSP scored a consolation at the death while Bective were down to 14, but we dominated the encounter and went home deserving 17-33 winners.
The result sets us up nicely to battle for a playoff spot in Metro Division 8 in the new year. It’s in our own hands and coaches Col Bathe, Shane Comer and Stephen Fox are relishing the task ahead.
Full time DLSP 17-33 Bective
Bective Squad: 15. Nicolo Tognon 14. Jules Vanthournout 13. Ferdinand Bachellier 12. George Beeby 11. Emmet Geraghty 10.; Daniel Merker 9. Stephen Fox (C); 1. Gavin Walsh 2. Eoin McIntyre 3. Sean Hassett 4. Charlie Hughes 5. Ryan Murtagh 6. Adam Murphy 7. Ed O’Sullivan 8. Dave O’Mahony. Subs: 16. Sean Geraghty 17. Mark O’Brien 18. Niall Godfrey 19. Ruairi Murray 20. David Rischke 21. Alberic Renividaud 22. John Leahy
