BUCCANEERS 28 GALWEGIANS 12
Putting in a strong second half performance, Buccaneers Juniors commenced their Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1B League campaign with a fully deserved 28-12 victory over Galwegians Seconds at Dubarry Park on Sunday. On a glorious sun-drenched afternoon with no breeze, conditions were perfect for these age-old rivals.
Both teams were greatly changed from their previous meeting just a few weeks ago with Kasper Czerniak being the only Buccaneers back who had started in that fixture. The home pack had only two changes while Wegians seemed to have eleven different starters to that game! Nevertheless, the westerners made the better start but spurned a straight-forward penalty after just 4 minutes. A quarter of an hour had passed before the hosts got some meaningful territory but then twice in succession they knocked on when close to the visitors’ line.
A quick throw in on the right flank caught Buccs out and when the ball was moved across the pitch David Fuller dotted down close to the left corner flag from where he was unable to convert this 24th minute try. The Blues had been guilty of a number of high tackles and Robert McHugh’s untidy tackle on Atrio Abono earned him a trip to the sin bin. Abel Bouwens was unable to convert the resulting 29th minute penalty and so Buccs trailed 0-5 after an uninspiring opening half.
Galwegians made a bright start following the change of ends and Cody Farrell got through for a 42nd minute try with Fuller adding an excellent conversion. But, from hereon, Buccs stepped up their endeavours to take control of the proceedings, boosted by a super Ross Murphy-Sweeney 45th minute try, surging in from the ten-metre line, duly converted by Bouwens.
As the game entered the final quarter, Buccs punted a penalty to the left and Sam Fogarty won good lineout ball to set up a fine maul that yielded a 63rd minute Dylan Bolger pushover try. Bouwens conversion gave the homesters a 14-12 lead. Four minutes later, skipper Fogarty tapped a close-in penalty and burst over the line for a try.
In the closing stages, club president Sean Flynn was introduced and he made an immediate impact when burrowing over to secure a bonus point try for Buccs. Bouwens conversion completed the 28-12 winning margin as, at the third time of asking at this early stage of the season, Buccaneers finally got the better of the Tribesmen. Fogarty led by example with notable support from Abu Saka and Bolger in the pack while centres Murphy-Sweeney and Tom Shine were pick of the backs.
BUCCANEERS:- H.Balsiger; F.Lennon, R.Murphy-Sweeney, T.Shine, K.Czerniak; A.Bouwens, E.Friel; A.M.Abono, D.Bolger, A.Oates; L.Giles, S.Fogarty (captain); G.Catarino, B.Foxe and A.Saka. Replacements:- C.Kelly (for Czerniak, h/t), E.Naughton (for Oates, 50 mins), M.Egan (for Friel, 50 mins), C.Malone (for Abono, 50 mins), S.Flynn (for Malone, 70 mins), A.Oates (for Naughton, 70 mins), C.Rooney-Digan (for Lennon, 70 mins), K.Foxe and E.Furey.
GALWEGIANS:- J.Allnutt; J.Lowry, R.McHugh, C.Farrell, D.Lowry; D.Fuller, B.Donnelly; C.Murray, C.Joyce, C.McGrath (captain); F.Roussel, M.Conlon; J.Keane, R.Wilson and L.Brady. Replacements:- A.Kavanagh, D.McGrath, B.Reid, C.O’Reilly, C.Connolly, L.Hurson and O.Kennedy.
Referee:- Cian Hough (Connacht).
