BUCCANEERS 15 GALWEGIANS 27
BUCCANEERS WOMENS team gave a very creditable performance when going down 27-15 to Galwegians in their Connacht Womens League tie played at Dubarry Park on Sunday.
The more experienced visitors, coached by Connacht captain Jarrod Butler and some with AIL experience, got a tonic start with a 7th minute try. Buccs settled into the contest and were rewarded when Justine Walsh stormed through the centre for a 19th minute try between the uprights. A wayward home pass proved costly as Wegians pounced to score a breakaway 29th minute try and the light blues went further ahead in the final move of the half in which the scoring pass looked forward. This gave the Tribeswomen a 17-5 lead.
A missed tackle helped the light blues quickly notch their bonus point try following the change of ends and their left winger flew in for their final score, a 58th minute try and a 27-5 advantage. But Buccs, although smaller and less experienced continued to battle with Hazel Kilduff driving her comrades on. The outhalf finished off some sustained interplay with a strong finish to ground the ball for a 65th minute try.
Galwegians conceded numerous penalties in the second half, probably in the high teens, yet there was no sight of a yellow card until Buccs Amy Kelly was sin-binned for some over exhuberance and frustration with ten minutes remaining. Despite their numerical deficiency, Buccaneers had the final try, a flying finish wide on the right by Aoibhe Kelly.
Kilduff was the best player on view with fine contributions by Farrell, dynamic diminutive prop Kelly, the evergreen Yvonne O’Shea and strong carrier Patricia Gormley. With better handling, Buccs will reap rewards in future matches.
BUCCANEERS:- Z.Tighe; V.Farrell, J.Walsh, Aoibhe Kelly, A.Earley; H.Kilduff, S.Hynds; M.McLaughlin, V.Bartholome, Amy Kelly; K.Newman,C.Donovan; Y.O’Shea, Aoife Kelly and R.O’Callaghan. Replacements:- P.Gormley and G.Mandal.
