Another awesome result. CLICK HERE FOR 47 Pictures
The 1st xv get their 2nd vital win out of 7 outings in the All Ireland league
Bective arrived in 10th place having won 3 out of their first 6 games but only having lost to the top teams. So whilst this was one of the potential home wins targetted, it was never going to be easy.
The match was another one played were a strong wind blowing down the pitch was going to dictate both halves.
Winning the toss Instonians elected to play into the strong wind. Straight away this proved to be the right decision when Bective’s kick off went long and gave Inst a scrum on halfway.
From this scrum Inst looked threatening, Gareth Mclintock joined the line from fullback and made great ground.
Everytime Inst lost possession they were punished when Bective used the wind and put us back in our won half.
The scrum was an even contest as was the lineout, Inst however looked dangerous with the ball in hand and it scramble defence kept the bective attack at bay. infact it was 30 minutes before they finally scored.
In that first 30 minutes Stephen Douglas and Andy McKeen made several line breaks. Seamus Malon was nearly put away but for a knock on and on two occassion Inst were held up over the line after some good pick and goes.
Bectives only score of the game came after 30 minutes, a series of scrums in the inst 22 ended with a push over and Bectives No 8 Ben Crowley touching down and no 15 Cormac O’Beirne converting (0-7)
Inst came straight back, a Bective scrum was wheeled, lose ball at the back was pounced on and won. The ball was recycled, good break from scrumhalf Michael Sargent, a few pick and goes, ball eventually moved wide. Rory McCann made a half break in the centre, got a pass away to Robbie Kirk who dived over. (5-7)
Half-time came and it looked as if a 2 point lead would be a hard one for Bective to defend.
Straight from the restart Bective knocked on, from the scrum again Inst moved the ball, recycled several times before “old man” Kenny Morton dived over to score a vital try. Converted by outhalf Rory McCann (12-7)
This time from Bectives restart Inst caught the ball and used the wind kicking deep. Bective attempted to kick it back, the ball was caught and moved wide by fullback Gareth McClintock, passed to Rory McCann who produced a lovely chip and catch to then pop to Mark Hill who scored in the corner. (17-7).
That was the last score of the game.
In the remaining 30 minutes (which seemed a lifetime to the writer) Rory McCann missed one kickable penalty and Bective missed 3, the closest coming of the post.
Inst attacks always looked threatening with good interplay between forwards and backs, the defence stood up to severe Bective pressure and only nerves led to too many penalties.
Final Score 17-7
Again the bench was used to the full , taking advantage of the 12 changes allowed.
A day for the entire squad, coaches and the big crowd to be proud. Rickety!!!
We now move up 1 place to now be 4th from bottom, overtaking our next opponents City of Derry. They lost narrowly at Dublin University, one of the fancied teams for promotion.
Bective suffered 3 injuries, the worst being their winger who had to be carried off and taken straight to hospital for neck injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.
A report like this highlights the scorers but every Instonian player deserves a mention. This is a team that is getting better, the set pieces continue to improve, the defence looks more organised and the attack more dangerous.
Away to City of Derry next sat 10th December is a big step up in challenge, be there to support.
Team 1 to 15: Paddy Dornan, Garrett Walsh (David McGovern), Alan Whitten (Ryan Jablonski), Matt Irwin, Kenny Morton, Daryl Marshall (Mark Hill), Stephen Douglas, Andy McKeen, Michael Sargent, Marcu Hart, Jamie Scott, Seamus Mallon, Robbie Kirk, Gareth McClintock. Replacement not used: Matthew Wright
