Match Report: Seapoint vs 1st XV
A View from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD
Leinster League Div 1A - Saturday 12th November @ 2.30pm – Kilbogget Park
Seapoint RFC v Bective Rangers FC
The last time Bective won in Kilbogget Park…………….
Kilbogget Park is a difficult venue for any visiting team and the last time Bective were nearly successful was 6th January 2018, in an All-Ireland League 2C game that ended in a 27-27 draw.
In the Leinster League we have played Seapoint on two occasions in Kilbogget Park and lost both games .
On a dry pitch but into a big wind, Seapoint kicked off. Bective, with the wind at their backs, secured possession for Matthew Gilsenan to kick deep into the Seapoint half, then with a quick counter attack and before anybody had drawn breath, Seapoint go over for a converted try under the posts; 7 0 to Seapoint with just 3 minutes gone.
Nonetheless, the Bective team knuckled down playing patient rugby and with the forwards starting to dominate their opponents, forcing Seapoint into errors, coupled with some great turnovers and a penalty, they were rewarded by a great forwards try from Capt. Colin Jackson, converted by Matthew Gilsenan on 20 mins, 7 – 7 all.
With the advantage of the strong wind, Bective continued to dominate and play the game in Seapoint’s half. Strong running by the Bective pack, good line out possession with Mark Bennett and big Ger Ward (returning after injury) featuring, setting up great ball for Jack O’Carroll and Matthew Gilsenan to feed the centre partnership of Bobby Holland and Shane O’Meara, keeping Seapoint on the back foot. On 25 mins and after great support play supported by Scott Baron linking up with his forwards, put Connie Campher over for a try, with the difficult conversion missed into the gusting wind 7-12 to Bective. Mindful that Bective would be facing the wind in the second half, the team further upped the ante before half-time and a big scrum and quick ball resulted in Mikey O’Hare touching down, with the difficult conversion missed, the score 7–17 on 30 mins to Bective. The team now went all out for the bonus point try and after Seapoint had defended their line and lifted the siege, the Bective pack roared back with a tremendous rolling maul and a touchdown by Tiarnan McCluskey but with the difficult conversion missed, 7–22 to Bective.
Half-Time – Seapoint RFC 7 – 22 Bective Rangers FC
Bective may have felt that they needed to score early to put some further daylight between the teams. Unfortunately, after only a couple of minutes, Bective conceded a try following a quick Seapoint put in on the Bective 22, allowing their scrum half to break the Bective cover and touch down for a converted try. Just like the first half, our opponents had scored early, 14–22 to Bective, 5 minutes into the second half. With the wind continuing to make conditions difficult, Bective all of a sudden were not having it all their own way. However, another massive turnover by Connie Campher on the Bective try line relived the pressure. Fantastic support play by Colin Jackson, Jamie Lawless, Tiarnan McCluskey and Mark Bennet brought play into the Seapoint half, giving Bective the platform to move the ball wide and put pressure on Seapoint. Unfortunately, Connie Campher had to leave the field injured on 55 mins and was replaced by Rodi Gens. Bective continued to gain territory playing great rugby and were now camped on the Seapoint line. After persistent infringements and a frustrating turnover by Seapoint, the referee finally issued a yellow card to the Seapoint prop. Bective prevailed after some great carries and patient build up, setting up Jack O’Carroll for the try, converted by Matthew Gilsenan. 14–29 on 65 mins to Bective. After a delay and discussion with both coaches, referee Johnny Quinn deemed it appropriate to revert to uncontested scrums due to Seapoint’s front row issues. However, Bective still continued to dominate and a great run by Mikey O’Hare linking up with Scott Barron nearly yielded a further score and with a bit of luck, Bective would have had their 6th try. Bective worked their socks off till the end, denying Seapoint a late score and securing the bonus point victory.
Next up on 26th November, we will be at the ‘half-way-point’ in the Leinster League Div 1A and we welcome our opponents for that game, Gorey RFC to Donnybrook.
Full Time – Seapoint RFC 14 – 29 Bective Rangers FC
Bective Rangers FC – 1XV 15 Seb Berti Jun, 14 Mikey O'Hare, 13 Shane O'Meara, 12 Bobby Holland, 11 Tim Maloney, 10 Matthew Gilsenan, 9 Jack O’Carroll, 1 Colin Jackson, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Connie Campher, 4 Mark Bennett, 5 Ger Ward, 6 Agustin Ortas, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 Jamie Lawless.
Replacements: 16 Danial Byrne, 17 Rodrigo Gens, 18 Tom Dever , 19 Shane O'Loughlin, 20 Gwenegan Kiniveren.
