v Bective
UCD J1 15 - 20 Bective
Sunday 9th of December brought somewhat drier and less inclement weather than had been seen the day before in the Belfield Bowl where the First XV had notched another win against a typically determined Terenure side. The J1 team going headlong into the exam season prepared to take on Bective in the return fixture in Belfield. Having won the previous outing by a comfortable margin, the team were hopeful of a similar success, alas it was not to be. With the exam and study pressures looming, the J1 team were missing some key players against a Bective team that scarcely resembled the one beaten back in October.
With the wind at their backs in the first have UCD applied some early pressure and one felt that if they could get the noses in front and get the scores on the board, then they just might be able to win the game. Bective seemed to get into their stride quicker however and after 10 minutes they scored their first try of the game, which was easily converted in front of the posts. UCD replied with a Kevin Quinlan penalty on 13 minutes to bring UCD back in touch making the score 3-7. UCD’s defence looked edgy at times throughout the first half, however good cover tackles made sure Bective were not getting away from the team. With half time approaching, there was some lightning passing and movement from Morgan Hickey Crowe and Conor Quinn down the left hand side of the pitch, which was capitalized on by Paddy Conlon latching onto a pass and finding himself in space and the line at his mercy. A great score after some excellent team play which put UCD into an 8-7 lead. Bective responded with a penalty after a high tackle in front of the posts and gave them a half time lead of 8-10. David ‘Jake White’ Murphy gave the lads a quick halftime talk about defence and what it takes to win world cups and the J1’s retook the field with a new sense of enthusiasm and belief.
The second half was a curious affair, many of the mistakes which had been evident in the first half were eliminated. Bective playing with the wind started stronger and scored an early try which put them out to an 8-15 lead. This was not the death knell for Collidge however, after some brilliant play up the left with Mark Browne, Vinny Hammond and Rory O’Connor all involved, play moved right, with Conor Mitchell, Stephen O’Dwyer and Colm Leahy all making big intrusions in the Bective midfield line. From the resulting ruck, Vinny Hammond exposed a large short side with Cathal Doyle on hand to get past the slide defence and shoot over the line from inside the 22m line. A brilliantly worked score which showed the ambition with which the team can play. Kevin Quinlan popped over the conversion from wide out to make the score 15-15 with 15 to go.
With confidence high and Murph picturing in his mind's eye, visions of the Blanco try in the 1987 RWC against Australia, Bective attacked again and scored with 10 minutes left on the clock. A bitterly disappointing moment, making the score 15-20. UCD again tried to play as before but errors kept coming and with 3 minutes left Bective won a penalty which the decided to kick at goal. This kick was short and was gathered by Cathal Doyle under the posts who moved it left to Conor Quinn who accelerated up the pitch, crossing the 10m line before being tackled. He popped to Mark Browne who passed inside to Ger O’Rourke and Collidge charged forward.
Quick pick and drives from Ger Moran and Neil Collins brought UCD well inside the Bective half and from the quick ruck ball, Vinny Hammond and Kevin Quinlan moved the ball into midfield and brought play inside the five meter line. Unfortunately, impatience resulted in a penalty being given away and the referee blowing for full time. The last 3 minutes was some of the best rugby played by the J1’s played all season so far, it was unfortunate that they couldn’t finish it off. Well done to all the lads on the pre-Christmas effort, they have shown how good they can be when they click and hopefully this will continue into the New Year.
This writer will continue to keep everyone updated on Murph’s negotiations in relation to his appointment as South African Coach, which will become ever more ridiculous as the season carries on!! Insiders have suggested that Murph will demand the option of including Ceann Comhairle Eddie Conlon in any team building exercises and also as a replacement for Bryan Habana (see cover tackle vs Carlow!)
Shane Geraghty