BUCCANEERS 31 ENNIS 17
BUCCANEERS turned matters around in unusual fashion when they came from behind to defeat Ennis 31-17 in a Junior friendly at Dubarry Park on Saturday.
On a lovely afternoon, the visitors dictated the opening half-hour with their much taller pack causing problems for the hosts. They scored the opening try from a chip over the cover and added the second following a maul for a 12-0 lead. Buccs opened their account when their first real bit of territory saw Evin McMickan swoop for a try converted by Ethan Friel after 32 minutes. Then in the final move of the half Gabriel Murphy capitalised on improving home momentum to dot down wide on the right for a try that left the teams tied 12-12 at half-time.
Gabriel Murphy was yellow-carded for a late tackle shortly after the change of ends and Prev Malassou soon joined him in the bin following a deliberate knock-on. Yet it was the Athlonians who scored next, Sam Fogarty powering over for a try following improved play whilst down to 13 players! Friel then became the third Bucc to see yellow and Ennis levelled matters with a try.
But the homesters finished the stronger and they drove the visitors off a close-in scrum enabling James Murphy to touchdown. In an end to end chase following a McMickan kick ahead, pressure was put on the visitors’ defence and Fionn McDonnell put Gabriel Murphy in for his second try. Richie Greene converted both tries to complete a 31-17 win that looked unlikely on a number of occasions.
BUCCANEERS:- R.Greene; P.Malassou, G.Murphy, L.Cassidy, J.Rosney; E.Friel, J.Murphy; C.Malone, D.Bolger, R.Chiche; F.McDonnell, A.Markov; J.Crampton, E.McMickan and S.Fogarty. Replacements:- B.Foxe, A.Abono, C.Brill, R.Wilson, M.O’Sullivan, A.Oates and E.Furey.
