Bective Rangers 3 - Stillorgan RFC 3
J4 League - Jan 20, 2007
Much confusion about where the game was actually being played meant that not everyone showed up on time for warmups. I'll put my hand up for that. Sorry guys!
Anyway those that showed up on time warmed up with an intensity that wasn't there previously and there was a determination to play well and play hard. We trained as we intended to play.
There was a strong wind blowing across the pitch and the occasional blustery shower. The brotherhood played down the hill in the first half, but the crosswind negated the advantage.
From the kick-off we chased up in a line and the ball was sent back into our half, close to the 22. After the ball was collected by Keith he was clearly pulled down, but the ref decided to award them a scrum as Keith lost the ball forward. Not the last bizarre call made by the ref on the day, but not all were against us, so we can't really complain.
Discipline today was superb, although there were still a lot of silly penalties given away for hands in the ruck and a couple for coming in the side. Such a penalty gave Bective the lead after about FIFTEEN MINUTES.
Still the resolve of the brotherhood was strong and we worked our way into their 22 time and time again. Scrappy play up front on both sides of the ball made for a game riddled with stoppages. Our reluctance to get stuck in for some pig-ball didn't help either.
Ross hobbled off the field with a calf injury, followed a few minutes later by Mick with an ankle spraine. Fidel took up position at scrum half.
Stillorgan kept the pressure up and were awarded a penalty just to the left of the posts, about 25m out. Niall struck the ball well and hit the post, but the ref called the ball back for a retake due to a technical infringement by a Bective player. This time Niall bisected the posts to tie up the game.
The second half started reasonably well, but was marred by a sin-binning for Fidel for a second high tackle, which was curious as I don't recall seeing a stepladder on the pitch. Ronan Murphy stepped in at 9 and showed great composure in that slot than perhaps in previous outings there.
The whole second half was a real end to end affair. Niall kicked superbly for touch and the forwards pushed hard, working some very good mauls and turning over ball at crucial times.
Right at the end, Bective were awarded a penalty just inside our half, which they decided to take a pop at the goal. Given the penalties missed from easier locations during the game, it was a bit of a surprise. Once the ball went well wide, the ref blew up for full time.
There was great mettle displayed by the brotherhood, those who started and those who came on as subs. Why couldn't we play like that for all the other games!!!! Special mentions go to captain Fidel. His battle cry of "FIFTEEN MINUTES" could probably have been heard throughout the foothills and rallied the troops. Niall O'D had a superb kicking game and drove the forwards to exceed themselves. Tackle of the game was by Octavio. A bonecrunching form tackle sent their ball carrier easily five yards back and scrambled to his feet to win the penalty too.
So that's it for the league season for the SRFC J4 brotherhood. There's still the cup to come, so let's keep up the effort at training. The J3s still need us to help them to a playoff spot too. Let's do it for the Parish!
Match report by Michael Kirwan