BUCCANEERS 21 YOUNG MUNSTER 5
–
BUCCANEERS U-20’s kicked off their season by continuing their winning ways with a fine 21-5 victory over Young Munster at Dubarry Park on Saturday. This friendly proved a useful workout for both clubs with many players getting game time in a lively contest played in mixed weather.
Buccs got off to a flying start with Orrin Burgess breaking through the Cookie Munsters cover to race away for a splendid solo try on the left. Ruadhri Fallon kicked a smashing conversion to this this 6th minute touchdown. Unfortunately, that was Burgess’ final contribution as he sustained a shoulder injury putting in an earlier thumping tackle in his impressive cameo.
The Pirates quickly extended their advantage when, after Luke Balsiger had claimed good lineout ball following a penalty kicked to touch on the right, the home pack drove over the visitors’ line where Cameron Brill applied the finishing touch. Fallon’s kicking was also equal to the task from the opposite flank, his conversion putting Buccs 14-0 to the good.
Young Munster responded but were held up over the home line but, shortly afterwards, Gavin Daly was yellow carded for a high tackle. The Limerick lads inflicted further punishment on the hosts with a somewhat fortuitous unconverted try. The scoring pass seemed a shade forward while the scorer did not appear to have control of the ball when grounding.
On a perfect pitch, Young Munster had the benefit of a more significant breeze following the change of ends. They enjoyed lots of possession without really threatening the home line as both sides made full use of their squads. Meanwhile Nato Kiripati looked like his break would yield a try but Kian Smith did well to reel him in and avert a score.
Late in this entertaining affair, Fallon hit a sublime diagonal kick to Kasper Palamarczuk and the promising Pole drew the final defender to send Jacob Phibbs racing away for a try wide on the left. Fallon completed the scoring with another excellent conversion as Buccs ran out worthy winners on a 21-5 scoreline.
Buccaneers panel was a quite cosmopolitan one in which Burgess, Fallon, Palamaraczuk, John Tatoo, Adam Flanagan and Cian McCann caught the eye.
BUCCANEERS:- J.Phibbs; B.Daly, O.Burgess, J.Tatoo, M.Glynn; R.Fallon, E.Friel; A.Burke, C.Brill, J.Duffy; F.McDonnell, C.McCann; K.Kiripati, G.Daly and L.Balsiger (captain). Replacements used:- E.Shakhnazaryan, O.Donoghue, A.Cepi, L.Giles, A.Flanagan, Y.Avrthtmi, K.Palamarczuk and A.Bongiovanni.
YOUNG MUNSTER:- D.Hiam; E.Woods, D.Shine, J.Scahill, E.O’Sullivan; K.Smith, T.Ross; K.McGrath, D.Keogh, S.Farrell; O.O’Reilly, J.Rainsford (captain); S.Griffin, B.Morrissey and J.Murray. Replacements used:- N.Kinnane, S.Kerrisk, C.Kerley, S.Thompson, E.Kelleher, A.Birdthistle, J.Shinners, W.Hoffman and C.Casey.
Referee:- Cathal Ruddy (Connacht).
