BUCCANEERS 18
By Michael Silke
BELFAST HARLEQUINS just held on to pip Buccaneers 19-18 in a well-contested Ulster Bank League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. Conditions were raw and windy but dry and sunny for this encounter which was played, somewhat bizarrely and unnecessarily, under floodlights. However, the Pirates did not really light up their endeavours until reduced to 13 players in the final quarter when they tacked on 10 points in a rousing rally but Quins had earlier played to their strengths to build a match-winning advantage.
Buccs had not played for six weeks and it showed, particularly in the opening half when they made insufficient use of the elements as they suffered a costly third successive defeat. The Pirates had a number of personnel and positional changes from their loss to
It took the hosts some time to apply pressure but the northerners got an early slice of good fortune. As Buccs moved the ball laterally from right to left, one obvious pass too many was made and Michael Heaney read the telegraphed intentions to intercept on his own 10-metre line. The
Nevertheless, Buccs were quickly on level terms when they regained possession from the restart and moved the ball smartly to the right where left wing Steve Macauley popped up to provide an overlap and dart in for a well-taken 20th minute try in the corner which Carty could not convert. Harlequins responded promptly to this score by introducing Rory Scholes at full-back with Heaney moving to his more familiar role at scrumhalf in place of Josh Fullerton.
A sweeping Buccs move with Macauley again prominent looked like reaping a second home try but Quins slowed the momentum close to their line and the midlanders were hastily pinged for not releasing. When Buccs were again penalised inside their own half on 36 minutes, Quins kicked to touch on the right. Winning good lineout possession, they went through the phases to score a crucial try just before the break. Oli Loughead got the touchdown and
Buccs restarted in spirited and purposeful manner and good work at a scrum yielded a 42nd minute penalty which Carty drilled over. The Pirates were now doing much better in the set-pieces and Lutton was yellow carded at a 49th minute scrum. Referee Gary Conway had a propensity to whistle rather swiftly for holding but
The visitors promptly inflicted further punishment on the Pirates when, after punting the penalty to the left, their pack rumbled over with the inspiring McComb applying the finishing touch for a try which Heaney did well to convert. This put Quins in a strong position 19-8 ahead after 66 minutes and, with a two man advantage, home fears were that visitors would surely forge a bonus point try.
Remarkably, Buccaneers played their best rugby in this period and were swiftly driving towards the northerners’ goal line. All players were finally galvinised and plenty of hands were involved before Martin Staunton powered over for a 69th minute try. Carty duly converted and then kicked a fine penalty three minutes later when Kenny McCombe was sin binned for slowing Buccs momentum. Perhaps they should have gone for broke in search of a seven-pointer but the penalty left just the minimum between the sides. In a final flurry, the midlanders just could not salvage a match-winning score while Mark Best was off-target with a drop goal attempt at the other end of the pitch.
This was a rusty performance by Buccs and it took them too long to eradicate errors. Their backline looked the more inventive but Quins pack laid the groundwork for their victory despite the endeavours of ATHLONE AUDI Man of the Match recipient Kiripati, who put in his best display of the season.
BUCCANEERS:- S.Layden; B.Henshaw, C.Finn, A.Hayman (captain), S.Macauley; B.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, D.Higgins; J.Tormey, D.Qualter; K.Kiripati, S.Casey and L.Satchwell. Replacements:- C.Kindregan (for Casey, 32 mins), D.Heffernan (for Halligan, 49 mins), E.O’Reilly (for Layden, 60 mins), P.Reilly (for Higgins, 74 mins), S.Casey (for Kindregan, 76 mins) and G.O’Connor.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS:- M.Heaney; H.Howard, M.Wylie, W.Stewart, K.Adams; L.Cambridge, J.Fullerton; N.Simpson (captain), T.Fraser, R.Lutton; D.Annett, N.McComb; K.McCombe, O.Loughead and D.Dass. Replacements:- R.Scholes (for
Referee:- Gary Conway (IRFU).
BUCCANEERS 16 U.L.BOHEMIAN 3
BUCCANEERS U-20s maintained their 100% winning sequence in the South-West Conference Division One when defeating U.L.Bohemian 16-3 at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. This was a creditable result for Buccs who were minus some key players including
Playing on a stamina sapping side pitch where underfoot conditions were particularly demanding, Buccs were generally the better outfit. However, in an often scrappy contest, they too did not make the most of having the assistance of the elements in the first half, after which they led 6-3. Sean Doyle opened the scoring with a penalty at the end of the opening quarter and then cancelled out a U.L.Bohs reply before the break.
Playing at stand-off, Doyle edged Buccs further ahead with his third penalty just before the hour mark. Due to Bohs injuries, scrums went uncontested early in the second half which did not help the Pirates as this was an area they were becoming increasingly dominant through the fine work of Conor McGrath, Conor Morrissey and Saba Meunargia. But the midlanders maintained their focus and workrate and they began to play with more purpose and panache in the closing stages in a mainly forwards battle. Four minutes from time, Buccs went through the phases with lots of players getting their hands on the ball before Sam McCormack sealed victory when he finished off good work for a try left of the posts. Doyle’s conversion completed the 16-3 winning margin.
McCormack and Evan Galvin were others to perform with distinction in the pack where Meunargia showed commendable leadership. Doyle and Harry Hughes were pick of the backs with Cormac Langan having a fine second half input. Buccs are now second in the league table, just one point adrift of Cork Constitution whom they meet next month following another trip to
BUCCANEERS:- H.Hughes; B.Goode, C.Langan, S.Dempsey, B.Gilligan; S.Doyle (captain), R.Dixon; C.McGrath, C.Morrissey, S.Meunargia; J.O’Rourke, C.Romaine; S.McCormack, R.Enraght-Moony and E.Galvin.
BUCCS AWAY TO MALONE
BUCCANEERS travel north to Belfast where they face Malone at Gibson Park in a ‘must win’ Ulster Bank League Division 1B fixture on Saturday, kick off 2.30 p.m. Buccs still retain fourth position in the league table where Terenure College hold a seemingly invincible lead while second placed Corinthians are now seven points ahead of the midlanders, so victory in east Belfast is vital for Buccs aspirations.
Malone are second from bottom. They defeated table proppers Dungannon last week for a first win in nine matches but Malone are potentially a much better side than their league position suggests. Consequently, Buccs must be on their guard as well as being focussed and competitive at this compact venue. James McKinney is a talented playmaker at outhalf and Taylor Acheson and Jonny Creighton are two other very promising backs. Similarly, forwards Alan O’Connor and Connor Joyce have immense potential while Mike McComish and Neil Alcorn are two other solid forwards for the
BUCCANEERS WOMENS team complete their All-Ireland League fixtures when they entertain Edenderry at
BUCCANEERS THIRDS take on Castlebar in the Connacht Junior 2 League at
BUCCANEERS U-14s Connacht League final fell victim to the prevailing weather last weekend when the pitch at Ballyhaunis was deemed unplayable. The young Pirates’ decider has been rescheduled for the same venue again on Sunday next, kick off time being 11.30 a.m. Corinthians are their opponents and will be a tough nut to crack. However, Buccs skills and organisation has been improving noticeably as they have progressed through the season. Confidence will be healthy too following their impressive semi-final win and, if Buccs can improve another notch or two on that, then they can capture the title provided they put in a sustained all-round effort.
Best of luck, guys!
IRELAND U-20s commence their RBS Six Nations Championship in Athlone on Friday night when they tackle Scotland in an ELECTRIC IRELAND home series fixture kicking off at 7 p.m. Two Buccaneers players Jacob Walshe and Rory Moloney are in the