Bective outclass Midleton in push for promotion

Bective Rangers 20, Midleton 7

This AIB League second division tie was never less than interesting, but Midleton’s Damon Urlich admitted the better side won. “We defended well but had an awful lot of defending to do.”

Midleton will look back angrily that they didn’t make the most of a good start. Sure enough, they fell behind to an Anthony Ronan try that Feargal Campion converted, but the sides were level at the half-hour stage and the game was on.

Kieran Wall’s brilliant try converted by Brian Morris put Midleton in with a shout, but it was unfortunate that Morris erred in front of goal twice, before Richie Maybury went in for a second Bective try, also converted by Campion, before the break.

There was never too much between the sides in the second half, except for territory. Bective struggled to put that advantage to best use, but the astute Campion kicked them into an unassailable lead with a brace of second half penalties.

Midleton went to Dublin in a difficult position near the bottom of the table. This result, particularly their inability to pick up a bonus point leaves them no better off.

They still hold a five point advantage over bottom placed side Sunday’s Well, but the Cork side have a match in hand. So too have Waterpark, who are just two points better off ahead of them.

Midleton’s plight was not eased by the fact that Thomond took a big scalp in beating Terenure at Fitzgerald Park. Terenure remain title contenders but Thomond proved too strong with a 14-5 win.

There are a number of challengers for the second division title after the short programme over the weekend.

Old Belvedere, not in action, continue to lead from Barnhall, but Bective are in third place on points difference, behind Barnhall, albeit with an extra game played.

UL/Bohemian are in fourth and UCC fifth, following their home defeat to Trinity.

In division three there was a full programme of matches and Highfield surged to the top after a well deserved 28-15 win over Skerries at Holmpatrick during which they scored four tries and picked up a bonus point.

It helped considerably that Banbridge suffered a surprise home defeat to Clonakilty. Greystones put Queens University to the sword on a 41-26 scoreline.

At the other end of the table, Connemara and Naas continue to have problems but a huge battle will rage in the coming weeks because Ssuttonians, Ballina and Corinthians are also in danger of dropping back into junior ranks.

Connemara’s game with Old Wesley was postponed which is probably just as well, while Naas went down to Portadown at home.

Corinthians also suffered a home loss to city of Derry, although they did manage to pick up a bonus point in the 13-15 reversal.

But Ballina, also at home, were badly beaten by Wanderers, while Ards smashed the challenge from Suttonians at Hamilton Park.

Bective Rangers: T. Walsh; S. Doggett, R. Noble, K. Curley, D. Kearney; F. Campion, S. Batty; R. Maybury, A. Ronan, B. Crowley; J. Bolger, D. Hall; M. Henley, P. Hatton (captain), D. Crean.

Midleton: A. O'Neill; D. Hurley, K. Wall, D. Smyth, P. Power; D. Urlich, B. Morris; P. Smith, D. Lee, K. Brierly; M. Cullinane (captain), A. McCarthy; M. O'Connell, G. Lynch, D. Lane.

Referee: P. Egan (Ulster).