BUCCANEERS 5 BRUFF 33
BUCCANEERS suffered a massively disappointing 33-5 home defeat to Bruff in the opening round of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South at Dubarry Park on Saturday. On a bright, breezy afternoon Buccs lack of guile and grunt cost them dearly against the more streetwise and bulkier visitors who benefitted from a couple of gift-wrapped early tries. Buccs wore their new kit that harkened back to Athlone RFC as the club celebrates its 75th anniversary this season.
The Pirates squad is very young and light, with six U-20s of last season starting, including a trio Jack Quinn, Darragh Glennon and Conor Dowling making their AIL debuts in the backline. The Limerick side had first use of the considerable breeze in front a good-sized attendance and they were quickly off the mark. Abel Bouwens lost possession on his own 10 metre line and a swift counter-attack sucked the home cover towards their left flank. From there Paul Collins’ pinpoint crossfield kick found the unattended Jesse Smith to run in for a 5th minute try which Collins converted.
9 minutes later, on his 50th AIL appearance, Corey Reid floated a telegraphed and ill-judged pass deep in the Bruff half which was swooped on by Collins. With Buccs all advanced in a promising attack, the outhalf was able to run 60 metres to touchdown for a try which he also converted to give Bruff a 14-0 lead in as many minutes.
Despite playing against the breeze, Buccs enjoyed the majority territory, had the greater share of possession and looked the more likely outfit. A series of penalties brought them into the opposition 22 and eventually Dylan Quinn burrowed over for an unconverted 26th minute try. But the homesters suffered further setbacks when injuries forced the scoring prop and livewire Patrick Egan both off before the half-hour mark.
Trailing 14-5 did not look unsurmountable in the windy conditions but Bruff struck in the final move of the half. Their lineout finally jelled and, after the ball was moved left to right, a long reverse pass reached Jesse Smith to touchdown at the scoreboard corner for his second try. This final move try of the half stretched Bruff’s advantage to 19-5 at the end of opening period.
It got even better for the visitors just 5 minutes into the second half, influential captain Cillian Rea showing great determination and strength to notch a bonus point try converted by Collins following a tapped penalty in front of the home posts. These tries either side of the interval truly killed the game off while the breeze was not as impactful.
Bruff had conceded a number of high tackles and Declan Moriarity’s 49th minute hit on Reid proved one too many for the referee following consultation with his touch-judges. 4 minutes later his fellow lock Fionn Flanagan joined him in the sin bin after another untidy tackle but Buccaneers failed to take advantage before Jack Quinn was yellow carded for perceived slowing the ball illegally.
As the game entered the final quarter a searing break by John Bateman was finished by Kian Smith for Bruff’s fifth try with Collins’ conversion completing the scoring. The nearest Buccs came to responding was a lightening break by Tom Cotton, but a hamstring recurrence halted his progress, while Sean Glennon was tackled into touch shortly afterwards, both with the Bruff line in their sights.
This was a really frustrating performance and result for Buccaneers who did quite well against the elements but never really get going following the change of ends. Bruff tries either side of halftime undid the Pirates as did avoidable errors, that will have to be eradicated very quickly, and the lack of a cutting edge certainly did not help their cause or their confidence. The Limerick side were solid defensively while tweaking will be necessary by Buccaneers but there is potential aplenty provided they play to their strengths and with more cuteness and patience.
One minute’s silence was observed prior to kick-off in memory of past president Gordon Ballantyne.
BUCCANEERS:- J.Quinn; C.Dowling, D.Glennon, C.Reid, H.Balsiger; A.Bouwens, L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly (captain), S.Glennon, D.Quinn; C.Sheehan, C.Walsh; P.Egan, L.Balsiger and N.Tallon. Replacements:- C.Byrne (for D.Quinn, inj. 26 mins), D.Bolger (for Egan, inj. 29 mins), K.Blessing (for Kelly, h/t), T.Cotton (for Bouwens, 46 mins), T.Shine (for H.Balsiger, 50 mins) and A.Bouwens (for Cotton, inj. 68 mins).
BRUFF:- C.McAuliffe; J.Bateman, A.O’Byrne, K.Smith, J.Smith; P.Collins, J.Young; M.Kennedy, W.Wilczuk, K.O’Dwyer; F.Flanagan, D.Moriarity; E.Posser, D.Browne and C.Rea (captain). Replacements:- C.Mulqueen (for O’Dwyer, 29 mins), S.Hackett (for Browne, 29 mins), A.Purcell (for Posser, 46 mins), K.O’Dwyer (for Mulqueen, 50 mins), E.Posser (for Purcell, 51 mins), B.Tucker (for O’Byrne, 63 mins), C.Mulqueen (for Kennedy, 63 mins) and S.Duggan.
Referee:- John Purcell (IRFU).
