WESTPORT 12 BUCCANEERS 48
Having already beaten the Mayo team narrowly twice in the league Buccaneers were facing a banana skin as they made the long trip to Westport for a Connacht U-16 Cup game on Sunday. Buccs were slow to settle and Westport were twice held up over the whitewash. Like France the previous day, Buccs broke out up the field and a 20 metre maul resulted in a try which was quickly followed by a 7 point response from the home team. With time running out in the first half captain Myles Fallon plunged over for a 12-7 half time lead.
The Pirates scored first with a penalty in the second half. Niall Robinson scored a good try quickly followed by others from John Finnan, Sean O’Hara and Jacob Rodriguez de Lievana. Another Finnan special finished the Buccs scoring with Darragh Murray knocking over a number of conversions. Westport did manage a late try and the scoring ended at 48-12 in favour of the midlanders.
Buccs struggled to exert authority in the first period due to some unforced knock-ons and a large penalty count. However, a more direct approach in the second half led to a much-improved performance. Best for Buccs were Robinson, Callum McCormack, Murray and Ryan Hughes.
BUCCANEERS:- T Herron, C McCormack, P Sunny; B Rourke, S O’Hara; N Robinson, M Fallon (captain) and A Murphy; S Lowe, E Carr; J de Lievana, D Murray, J Finnan, R Hughes; C.Bertomeu. Replacements:- C Doran, C Sylla, C Donoghue, A Costello, M Doolan, D Coffey, R O’Connor, S Ribaut and V Jimenez Rello.
SLIGO 17 BUCCANEERS 21
It was Friday Night Lights for Buccaneers U-16 Girls who made the long trip to Hamilton Park, Sligo, to play a Connacht Cup qualifier against Sligo, who had two pool wins already. The match was a classic from the kick-off.
Sligo were as relentless as the waves in nearby Strandhill but Buccs defended all across the field and our centre held. After intense pressure in the opening 10 mins where Sligo were literally camped on our line the homesters got through for an unconverted try.
From the kick-off, Buccs kept possession and the inspirational Cora Heneghan was not held in the tackle and she broke free to get over on the left. The conversion was added and Buccs settled into a very good rhythm with great running and pod play with all forwards keeping possession and driving into their opponents.
The Athlone side’s backs were smothered quickly but kept at it and finally Sally Fleming managed to break through and was high tackled on the line. The excellent local referee awarded a penalty try and Buccs led 14-5 at the interval.
Sligo took control on the restart and went from side to side maintaining possession despite some huge tackling from all players. Time and again Buccs drove them back but they kept coming forward. Eventually Sligo got a pushover try and converted to make it a 2 point game. The sporting local partisan crowd got noisier and the momentum seemed to have shifted.
However, the Buccs girls kept their composure and attacked at every chance, great interplay between forwards and backs resulted in a scrum on their 22 where Heneghan somehow found a way through for another converted try. Sligo threw everything at the visitors and their continuity, fast rucking and great handling was matched by heroic defending but eventually they got in on the far corner for their third try but could not make the kick.
Again, no panic on the pitch and Buccs controlled possession and were camped deep in their half when we were awarded a penalty. Gemma Eivers tapped and kicked the ball deep into the night sky and out – we gasped -but the referee blew the final whistle and the game was won.
The work that Sarah and Martin do with the lineouts and scrums paid dividends. Declan who was with the U-14s would have been proud of how the forwards played in pods and Tom’s backs never flinched; all 17 defended like trojans and lived of scraps at times.
Both camps were so sincere in the praise for the opposition and Sligo provided well deserved pizzas and soup in their welcoming clubhouse. For all connected with this group this contest was a highlight that will be remembered for a long time.
Buccaneers had 3 unused subs for first time this season, the squad of 20 travelled and all were high spirited throughout. We will all get plenty of play next weekend when we host Thomas A Stewart High School from Ontario, Canada, on Sunday 16 March followed by the club hosting a dinner for all players — and there is talk of a Disco afterwards!
BUCCANEERS:- O.Collins; O.Turner, K.Mallon, S.Monzon, C.O’Connor; S.Fleming, M.Quinn; S.Somers, F.Dolan, MNyiakasani; C.Larkin, E.Sweeney; C.Heneghan, K.Sylvester and G.Eivers. Replacements:- H.Larkin, N.Mulchrone and A.Moran.
OTHER RESULTS
BUCCANEERS 40 CLAREMORRIS 0 in Connacht U-18.5 Cup
BUCCANEERS 58 CASTLEBAR 38 in Connacht U-13 Cup
BUCCANEERS 19 CLAREMORRIS 7 in Connacht U-15 Cup
MINIS NEWS
What a Sunday morning of rugby from our amazing Buccaneers Minis! Sunshine, smiles, and superb rugby – you couldn’t ask for better weather to showcase the talent and energy from all our young Buccs. A massive thank you to Carrick-on-Shannon, Loughrea, Midlands Warriors and Birr Rugby Clubs for travelling to us and bringing such great spirit to the pitch! To all the parents and our fantastic hospitality team – your support and delicious treats kept everyone fuelled and smiling. Everything ran like clockwork after the blitz – legends! Huge shoutout to our incredible coaches whose passion and dedication make days like this possible. And of course, a special thanks to Stefan for capturing all the action with his amazing photos – you’re a star! Next stop… Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, where our little superstars will proudly represent Buccaneers RFC!
