Clement powers to win
GOREY BECTIVE RANGERS
CLEMENT POWER crossed for two crucial tries in an excellent Leinster League Division 1A game at Donnybrook.
With three wins from three, Gorey moved into pole position in the table after this away win at Bective Rangers.
This was another one of those games where Gorey had to work hard to secure a victory that took a while to come as Bective Rangers never gave up, and with a bit of luck of their own it might have secured a different outcome.
Gorey were first to score with a James Nolan penalty after eight minutes when Bective infringed at the breakdown.
Bective responded with some good inter-play and moved into the visitors’ ‘22 to secure a penalty to draw the sides level.
On the 20th minute Gorey were reduced to 14 with a yellow card. During those ten minutes they managed to curtail Bective and, better still, secure a crucial score when Tom Jameson finished off a move in the corner.
James Nolan was just wide with the conversion attempt.
The Bective response was swift and clinical. Some excellent work from their pack saw them move the ball wide to split the Gorey midfield defence to run in an excellent try. The conversion put them into the lead (10-8).
Gorey soaked up further pressure and Bective could have extended their lead but, with the line in front of them, they somehow managed to knock on.
The first quarter of the second-half was nip and tuck but slowly Gorey were beginning to shade the exchanges. A James Nolan penalty put them into the lead.
Bective responded well, but when Gorey defended a number of five-metre scrums they suddenly found themselves in attack mode.
Gorey off-loaded the bench with Eoin Walsh, Stanley Hadden and Richard Deering in the fray.
Gorey were now growing in confidence and consistent waves of attacks saw them eventually move the ball wide for Clement Power to go over in the corner to extend their lead to 16-10 as the teams went into the last quarter.
Another James Nolan penalty saw Gorey stretch that lead to put two scores between the teams.
Bective tried but struggled to break down a resolute Gorey defence, and with nine minutes to go a yellow card put paid to any chance of a revival.
Gorey finished the stronger and again, after a tremendous run by winger Joe Naughton, another concerted attack saw that man Power cross for his second try to leave 14 between the sides as the game drew to a close.
This was a tremendous team effort from one to 22, with Joe Naughton, James Nolan and Clement Power the pick of the backs.
The forwards were not found wanting either with Jordan Ahern, Tom Jameson, captain Stephen Gardiner and man of the match Ciarán Allen working hard.
The next game up for Gorey is a home fixture with Kilkenny on Saturday, October 13, with kick-off at 3 p.m.
Gorey: K. Browne, E. Batham, C. Allen, S. Gardiner (capt.), T. Jamison, K. Breen, E. Horan, J. Ahern, A. O’Brien, S. Duke, J. Naughton, J. Nolan, J. Rothwell, C. Power, R. Harrington, E. Walsh, S. Hadden, L. Molloy, R. Deering, R. Brooks.