BUCCANEERS 7 BECTIVE RANGERS 59
On the weekend that was in it, Bective Rangers stormed through Buccaneers 59-7 in their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South game played in horrendous weather conditions at Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon. Bective were a significantly more physical and experienced side than the callow hosts who did not help their cause through the concession of some early avoidable tries.
Buccs made one enforced change from the victory at Thomond, Matthew Zander replacing the injured Ryan O’Meara at lock. Rangers made two personnel changes following their win over Midleton with Tim Carroll preferred at fullback and Conor McMenamin coming into the second row.
The visitors had first benefit of the influential elements which paid early dividends. James McKeown was the beneficiary of an angled chip ahead and some tardy covering by the home rearguard as he dotted down for a 7th minute try wide on the right. Five minutes later an inch perfect penalty to the same corner provided a launching pad for Bective’s second try. Following the lineout the ball was moved from right to left where Buccs were exposed and Carroll grounded the ball unchallenged for a try converted by David Fitzgibbon.
Almost immediately, Buccs did not deal with another diagonal kick with a defender touching it enroute to touch. Bective mauled over after the lineout with Chris Hennessy applying the finishing touch. And before the first quarter had ended, the metropolitans had a bonus point in the bag when Gavin Kelly waltzed through porous tackling for a try. The Pirates defended desperately at times against the gale driven rain but Conor Kelly added the visitors’ fifth try on 31 minutes.
Despite a yellow card to McKeown for a deliberate knock-on, Bective scored another try in the final move of the half, Matthew Gilsenan the scorer on this occasion. Fitzgibbon landed 5 conversions in succession to give the city side a handsome 40-0 advantage at halftime.
Home hopes were raised within a minute of the change of ends when Conor Dowling raced in for a try at the right corner and Jack Quinn added a super conversion. But Bective responded when Gilsenan, following a fine break by Alex Walsh, notched a 47th minute try. Buccs strove earnestly to add to their tally but were held up over the Leinster side’s line following a tapped penalty.
Donagh Lawler was the second Ranger to be yellow-carded due to a high tackle moments after his introduction. Nevertheless, they scored their eighth try by Walsh following a series of pick and goes. Buccs then had Orrin Burgess sin-binned for a high tackle and, shortly before the final whistle, Ed Kelly notched another try for the visitors. Fitzgibbon landed 7 conversions in total to complete Bective’s winning margin of 59-7.
This was a chastening afternoon for the midlanders as their very young and light squad, in foul conditions not to their advantage, came up against seasoned and well-drilled opposition who were too strong and organised in most departments. Bective, who lined out with Evan Galvin in their back row, had 8 different try scorers. Early errors did not help the homesters cause but, to their credit, although out-gunned they battled gamely to the bitter end.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Reid; C.Dowling, D.Glennon, C.Reid, O.Burgess; J.Quinn, L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly (captain), S.Glennon, C.Byrne; C.Walsh, M.Zander; O.Dolan, L.Balsiger and N.Tallon. Replacements:- K.Blessing (for Byrne, inj. 26 mins), D.Bolger (for Glennon, 65 mins), A.Saka (for Tallon, 65 mins), A.Bouwens (for D.Reid, 65 mins) and R.Murphy-Sweeney (for C.Reid, inj. 65 mins).
BECTIVE RANGERS:- T.Carroll; J.McKeown, A.Walsh, M.Gilsenan, E.Kelly; D.Fitzgibbon, C.Reilly; C.Hennessy (captain), C.Poole, C.Kelly; A.Treacy, C.McMenamin; E.Galvin, T.McCloskey and G.Kelly. Replacements:- C.Rolland (for Carroll, 52 mins), B.Holland (for Reilly, 52 mins), S.Barron (for Poole, 52 mins), L.Mion (for C.Kelly, 52 mins), D.Lawler (for G.Kelly, 52 mins), C.Poole (for McCloskey, 73 mins) and T.Carroll (for McKeown, inj. 75 mins).
Referee:- Ciaran O’Flynn (IRFU).
