At the start of December, the 16’s then played Seapoint in Donnybrook – always a cracker of a match and this season was no different.  Bective, missing a number of key players due to injury and school commitments, scored two excellently worked tries from Ronan Carney and Jude Sweeney. Jack Gallagher had a disallowed try in the corner and Stephen Giblin, Philip Doyle and Fergal O’Sullivan went close on a number of occasions. In the end Bective lost narrowly in a hugely competitive game by 17 points to 10.

Bective’s last game in the group stages, for a place in the Metro 16’s semi-final, was away against a very tough Coolmine team that had greatly improved since last season.  With large home support, Coolmine took an early lead with a converted try. Bective levelled the score just before half time with a forwards move started by Cian Browne and Robbie Clarkin and finished off by Ferdia O’Reilly, converted by Conor Browne.  Bective, supported by President Fergus Flanagan at the sideline, continued to play excellent rugby in a very tight second half and ran out winners, thanks to a try from Andy Coffey, by a very fine margin of two points. In the Metro 16’s league semi-final, Bective met a very strong Blackrock team in Stradbrook, the majority of players being from the Blackrock Js of the previous season.  Although Bective played totally committed rugby from start to finish, with excellent performances from Brian Aylmore, Roger McGrath and David Cleary, Blackrock were worthy winners and by far the better team.

After the Christmas break, injuries and school commitments led to a series of mixed results.  Bective travelled to Malahide for a very tough and open game of rugby in the first round of the Metro plate.  Again backs Jack Gallagher and Andy Coffey were on form helping the team to a 34 – 19 win.  Thanks to the commitment and coaching skills of Colm MacCarvill, the 16’s reached the semi-finals of the competition and, although the 16’s camped on the opponents 22 for the full game, an excellent worked try by scrumhalf Ryan Cosgrave and backs, finished by Jack Gallagher and a disallowed Killian Victory try, Bective were narrowly beaten by Barnhall who went on to win the competition.

The Metro season over, Bective travelled to Midleton for the Irish International Rugby Festival 2009.  Based in Trabolgan, 20 players and 6 parents enjoyed the Cork sunshine in what was to be a very eventful weekend.  Teams from Ireland, Wales and England played at the 16’s level in a very competitive competition which kept players, coaches and medical crews busy on both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Bective played in a particularly difficult group playing against the best in England – Plymouth Argaum, Bredon Buzzards from Worcestershire and Wolverhampton Rugby Club.  Bective started the competition slowly with a 5-all result against Plymouth – a game Bective should have won.  The second match against Bredon Buzzards, a top class side from Worcestershire, was a different game.  The Buzzards took an early lead running in 3 tries in the first half.  Bective dug very deep in the second half and produced the best rugby of the tournament on day one.  With great tackling and turnover skills from Rory McAvinue, Robbie Clarkin, Roger McGrath and newcomers Killian Victory and David Cleary, Bective ran in three incredible tries from Andy Coffey (2) and Jack Gallagher. Unfortunately, the Buzzards managed to get a 4^th, leaving the result 20 points to 15 for the Buzzards.  The Buzzards coach commented afterwards that he was very happy that each half only lasted 15 minutes...

The last game on Saturday was another hard fought competitive match against Wolverhampton, against a very tough and strong English team.  Tired from the last game, Bective again went behind early in the game.  Wolverhampton scored three quick tries and assumed that the game was over.  Bective again came back and tries from Jack Gallagher and Killian Victory meant that there was only one score in it with five minutes to go.  Due to very tough tackling and a very hard pitch, Bective then ended up with both centres, Stephen Giblin and Conor Browne, in an Ambulance and No. 8, Killian Victory, sidelined and out of the competition.  Again time was not on our side and Bective lost, finishing 3^rd in the group and into the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

On Sunday, Bective again proved their worth in the competition.  Bective received a walkover from Liverpool St. Helens in the semis and faced Midleton, the hosts, in the final.  Bective quickly took control of the final game with great running from Philip Doyle, Daniel Collins, Stephen Giblin and Brian Aylmore, great tackling from Oisin Leonard, Ferdia O’Reilly, Dean McKeon and Cian Browne and great overall performances from Conor MacCrosain, Sam Sheridan, Fergal O’Sullivan, Conor Browne and newcomer William Fitzgerald.  Running in six tries in the final against a very well equipped Midleton team, three from Jack Gallagher and one each from David Cleary, Cian Browne and Andy Coffey, Bective won the Challenge Cup in style.  On the social side, the lads got on really well together, new friendships were formed, culinary talents displayed and Trabolgan activities used – a very easy going and well behaved team, the parents on the other hand – well “what goes on tour...”

At an individual level, the Bective 16’s have again represented the club at the highest level this season.  Four of the 16’s, Andy Coffey, Ronan Carney, Daniel Nolan and Jude Sweeney were selected for the Metro panel. Unfortunately for Jude and Bective, Jude was out of both the Bective and Metro teams for the majority of the season due to illness and injury.  Daniel, Andy and Ronan trained with and played for the Metro team during the season.  Andy and Ronan have just been selected for the provisional Leinster club squad for next season.  Daniel is involved in Leinster schools section A trials.

Towards the end of the season, Andy Coffey and Cian Browne went on to represent the 16’s on the 17’s team. The team was narrowly beaten by a strong Seapoint team but went on to beat a talented team from Sydney and to win the Whelan Cup, beating Old Belvedere 27 – 10.

For the last three seasons, Colm MacCarvill has been an excellent coach, total committed to this Bective team.  Colm has decided that it’s now time to move on.  He will definitely be missed by the team in the future.  At the BBQ in Bective on May 3^rd, the 16’s presented Colm with a Bective jersey signed by all the players as a token of the team’s appreciation for Colm’s time and valuable input. The 16’s would also like to thank Club President, Fergus Flanagan, for his support and time during the season at both home and away games.  His continued interest in this team is very much appreciated by both players and coaches.

At the end of another busy season, the 16’s have again represented Bective at the highest levels. This season, the squad size has grown to 29 as players continued to join throughout the season.  In a very friendly and competitive environment, the team has won one international trophy and reached the semi-finals of both Metro league and plate competitions – another great season for this very successful team...