Keating conversion hands ALSAA narrow win at Bective

Bective 5 ALSAA 7

ALSAA's seconds made amends for the recent cup defeat of their first XV with a narrow win away to Bective on Saturday. On a glue-top surface, full-back Peter Keating's conversion was the difference between the sides. Any rugby purists in attendance would have surely winced at the state of play as the playing surface slowly gave way. Not only did the pitch hamper the pace of the game, but soon it became impossible to tell either side apart as the mud began to stick.

Bective took the lead midway through the first half before ALSAA responded with a try from the pack, credited to flanker Ivor O'Loughlin. Keating converted well to complete the first half scoring. ALSAA continued to dominate up front with Derek Brennan and O'Loughlin prominent while in the backline MIchael Kronk and outhalf Joe FItzachary looked sharp in attack.

Centre Ross Geller had an opportunity to increase the lead but was off-target with a penalty. Bective then had a chance of their own with a last minute penalty from close range, which was pulled wide of the posts and ALSAA held on for the win.

The first team resume their Leinster League campaign with a home tie against Wexford on Sunday. This week's fixture with Trinity was cancelled and ALSAA will be looking to keep up the pressure on their promotion rivals should they rack up their seventh league win of the season.

Skipper Mal Bradley is the only real injury concern ahead of the game and ALSAA will no doubt hope to have him back in the side as they approach the final few games of the season.

ALSAA: P. Keating, L. Price, R. Geller, D. Ryan, A. Proctor, J. Fitzachary, M. Kronk, K. Nuzum, U. Gene, D. Coleman, B. Traynor, J. Leyden, I. O'Loughlin, D. Kelliher, D. Brennan.