Bective Rangers 34 - Sydney Grammar School 3

Having lost to a strong Seapoint team in their first outing, the Bective U17s were keen to put their lessons learned to good use against the visiting Sydney Grammar School.  And it certainly all came together sweetly - as they outplayed their opponents comprehensively in glorious Donnybook sunshine. Sydney were coached by no less than former World Cup winning Wallaby wing Bob Egerton, who was fulsome in his praise for the standard of play reached by the Bective scratch side coached by Ed Martin and Peter McNamara - and captained by No 8 Paddy Dix from St Michael's.

The play opened with some full bodied tussles among the forwards as both sides got the measure of each other.  And it was the Bective pack who were first to punch some holes in the Sydney defences, with openside Chris Kenna bursting through to score under the posts on 16 minutes.  The try was converted by Cathal Marsh.  With more "go-forward" ball from the forwards, the Bective backs began to run things wide and the excellent right wing Rob Owen swooped for a try in the corner on 20 minutes.  The rattled Sydney kick off was caught by captain Paddy Dix at full pelt, and he weaved and jinked his way through the first line of defence and then had the pace to out-run the back three to score.  To their credit the Sydney lads recovered to turn the tables and put Bective pack under pressure and put together some phases of possession.  However, there was no way through the Bective mid-field of Danny Ruddock and Ben Geraghty - who tackled ferociously throughout.  A tactical Sydney kick ahead went badly wrong when Bective wing Owens made an audacious catch close to his touch line and ran the ball right back into the flatfooted Sydney ranks on their 10 yard line.  There he managed to offload to the supporting second row Andrew Coffey, who showed amazing footwork to jink his way to the line, bringing the score to 24 - 0.  Shortly afterwards, Bective ran the ball through the hands to put right wind Sean McCarthy in for a try in the corner, making the score 29 - 0 and things looked ominous for Sydney - half time could not come quickly enough for them.

When it did, it was indeed a tonic for the Sydney lads - as they resumed with new vigour.  After a period of dead-locked play mainly in the forwards, they were awarded a kickable penalty and they chose to take the points and get on the scoreboard.  They were now playing with greater confidence and looked to attack through the long kick ahead, but Bective Full Back David Kilgallon was assured under the high ball and dealt with this comfortably. The final score came from good work by Bective blindside flank Mark McGroarty making good ground into the Sydney 22, stretching the defences.  Quick ball from scrum half Tim Geraghty flashed to outhalf Cathal Marsh who placed a beautiful cross kick for Kilgallon to gather and touch down - leaving the final score at 34 - 3.

The Aussie boys were gracious in defeat and shared a meal afterwards with the home team in the clubhouse.  Afterwards, Bob Egerton thanked Bective for the fixture and hospitality and wished us well for the Whelan Cup coming up.  Andrew Coffey was presented with the Man of the match award by the visitors who certainly cut a dash in their resplendent uniforms complete with short pants and long socks,  Bective President Fergus Flanagan spoke on behalf of Bective, wishing the visitors all the best on the rest of their tour and presenting Bob with some Bective ties to be worn in halls of power in Australia.  All in all a great day of progress for the U17s, who will compete for the Whelan Cup against old Belvedere soon.