’Drum defeated in Donnybrook
BECTIVE RANGERS RATHDRUM RFC 52 9
A poor second half performance from Rathdrum saw Bective run out comfortable winners in this Metro League Division 4 game played on the main pitch in Donnybrook.
Rathdrum were looking to continue their good form after beating Malahide two weeks ago.
Played in difficult conditions, Rathdrum were 15-9 down at half time but never got going after the re-start.
Having led 6-0 mid way through the first half through a pair of Conor Parsons penalties, Rathdrum let Bective in for a soft try after 25 minutes. Rathdrum claimed a lineout on their own 5 metre line but a loose ball was gathered by the Bective no. 8 and he powered over for their opening try which was unconverted.
Rathdrum carried well following this setback but a number of handling errors allowed Bective to soak up any pressure that Rathdrum applied. Another driving maul from a lineout from the hosts led to their second try and they led 10-6.
Nearing halftime another Parsons penalty brought the scores to 10-9. But Bective got the vital score just before the break when they intercepted a loose Rathdrum pass and they scored an again unconverted try to leave the score at halftime 15-9 to Bective.
The second half however belonged to Bective. Their big pack started to dominate and they were able to introduce some strong players from their bench. Nonetheless Rathdrum will be disappointed with their loose defence which led to Bective running in 5 unanswered tries in the second half.
Rathdrum did have some encouraging periods in the second period but the final pass was not going to hand.
This was a night to forget for the Rathdrum players but with the next game in the same venue against Old Wesley on the 3rd of November, they will look to bounce back from this defeat.
Rathdrum: John Devitt, Noel Cross, Robyn Wood, Ciaran O’Neill, Matt Binnions, Dean Franey, Calvin Swords, Danny Dowling, Steven Dowling, Conor Parsons, Denis Heffernan, Ciaran Phelan, Aonghus O’Briain, Steven Fennell, Shane Byrne, John Shane