Old Belvedere RFC 36 Bective Rangers FC 0

On Wednesday last,a brave Bective Rangers side, led by Maeliosa (Wewa) Power lost to a more experienced Belvedere side. The final score belies the fact that had Bective taken their chances in the third quarter, the result may have been different, as Belvedere held a narrow 12 point lead at half time.

The game started frantically with Belvedere mounting waves of attacks. The Rangers defended stubbornly, as bodies were put on the line, thus frustrating the home side. Special mention to Colin (aka Raff) Rafferty who made three consecutive try-saving tackles. Not bad for an auld fella! The constant pressure told however and Belvo deservedly scored two first half tries, converting one.

As the game wore on, Rangers settled and Stephen (aka Monty) Montgomery and Brian (Shanty) Shalloe linked well in the back row to make the hard yards off Bective scrums. Kevin (the Legend) O'Farrell at scrum-half showed his class, despite carrying a leg injury, providing good quick ball to Odhran (Nardo) Power.

The second half started brightly for the Away team and had the gutsy Gary (the Speed) Corcoran held on to a Piaras (Guby) Power pass, a try beckoned and Belvo would have been firmly on the back foot. The home side, to their credit, were resolute in defence and rallied in the final quarter to score four unanswered tries as the Bective lads tired.

All told, Belvo were worthy winners as they took their chances. Bective can take heart from the fact that a number of players were out injured and others, such as Maeliosa Power and Darren (The Hands) Delaney were playing out of position and still performed admirably. Both Emmett (the Rebel) Sheridan and Johnny (the Quiet Man) Sheehan came off the bench to aid the cause, despite carrying injuries.

Finally, many thanks to our coaches Gary (aka Hans) Purcell and Peter (Macker) McNamara, our vocal support led by Brian (Spike) Nolan, and our water carriers Billy Kavanagh and Rona Kenny.

Joe Osborne,

Bective Rangers F.C.