Match Report: Monkstown vs 1st XV

Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 17th September @ 3.00pm – Sydney Parade

Monkstown FC 17 – 20 Bective Rangers FC

Bective Rangers FC 1XV, led by their Captain Colin Jackson produced a ‘Munster like’ grandstand finish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Sydney Parade.

In front of a large crowd and in brilliant sunshine, with conditions perfect for rugby, both teams produced an exciting Leinster League Division 1A classic. In the run up to this first outing, Bective suffered several injuries with a late call up for Eoin Vaughan to the second row and injury to Tim Carroll in the warm up, Angus McCallum deputised. The game, officiated by Katie Byrne IPAS referee, ARLB, from Tullamore Rugby Club, started with huge commitment from both sides. After a bright start with the Bective pack dominating and Monkstown conceding a number of penalties, aided by the reliable boot of Matthew Gilsenan, Bective had a 6-point lead after 15 minutes. With the penalty count mounting for Monkstown the referee issued a verbal warning but at the resulting scrum Bective were penalised with a harsh yellow card for Rodi Gens and on 20 minutes, Monkstown replied with a penalty goal and reduced the lead to 3 points.

With Rodi in the bin, Bective upped the intensity and after some great ball caries by the tight five, led by Colin Jackson, Denis Coulson, Scott Barron, and Connie Campher, with Mark Bennett doing the hard work, Tiernan McCloskey burst over the line to score a fine try. Matthew Gilsenan added the points and Bective lead by 13 points to 3. This then led to a Monkstown revival, and after some strong carries, the Monkstown winger was in for a try. With the points added the score was reduced to 10 -13. After the restart, Monkstown attacked again and on the stoke of half time with some strong forwards play the solid Bective defence was breached again for Monkstown number 8 to score a try. With the points added the half time score was  17 – 13 .

Half Time – Monkstown FC 17 – 13 Bective Rangers FC

After the restart, both teams produced some fine rugby skills and continued to defend and attack in equal measures. The penalty count against Monkstown again began to mount up and with some fine lineout throws by Scott Barron this kept Bective movement on the front foot only to concede a knock-on or a forward pass to allow Monkstown regain possession. While both teams had chances, Bective’s luck seemed to be running out as a scoring opportunity was foiled by Monkstown when a high tackle on Shane O’Meara went unpunished.  As the game ebbed and flowed, with 2 minutes remaining, Bective conceded a penalty on their 22m line. Monkstown being aware of the score, delayed their decision, which the Referee noted for time wasting, and opted to kick for goal. With time almost up, the Monkstown 10 narrowly missed his kick and the Referee allowed for a restart, 22m drop-out.

This drop-out can go down as the ‘season saver’ kick and what resulted was an impossible to believe outcome. Matthew Gilsenan floated a ball, high and slow for the dynamic Jamie Lawless to catch. With scrum half Dylan Carpenter, already replaced by Bobby Holland off the pitch injured, Bective somehow managed to move the ball up-field to the halfway line, for Tiernan McCloskey to burst through the Monkstown defence. This created Bective momentum, with Monkstown absorbing relentless pressure, and 25 phases later Bective were awarded a penalty on the Monkstown goal line. The referee signalled last play, with a cool head, Denis Coulson went with a tap and go to set up our Munster/Bandon captain Colin Jackson who crashed over for a match winning try. Matthew Gilsenan taped over the point and Bective secured a ‘Munster like, season’ saving win. To view more match day photos Click Here

Full Time - Monkstown FC 17 – 20 Bective Rangers FC.

Head-to-Head – Leinster League Division 1A

Bective Rangers FC vs Monkstown FC –

Played 3, Won 2, Draw 0, Lost 1.

Points vs Monkstown – 61pts (7 T) – 50 pts (6 T)