UCD 28 BUCCANEERS 41
After a slow beginning Buccaneers U-20s came good to account for University College Dublin in this J.P.Fanagan Leinster League tie by 41-28 at Belfield on Sunday. Playing on a 4G side pitch College’s Seconds got off to a flying start to lead 21-5 inside the opening quarter. But, thereafter, the young Pirates dictated the exchanges to claim a deserved bonus point victory with Sean Glennon being star of the show helping himself to 5 tries!
Buccs were not switched on when UCD got in for a soft 2nd minute try. Then after the Shannonsiders had been held up at the home line, a dropped ball was hacked downfield and the Students went 14-0 up. Slowly the visitors emerged from their slumber and forced a penalty that was punted to the right corner. Following the lineout Glennon was touching down for the first of his quintet of tries.
UCD replied with their third try to lead 21-5 before the first quarter was over. But Buccs now hit their groove and, this time on the opposite flank, Glennon was soon storming through for his second try which Andrew Henson converted. Following a series of pick and goes in which Leo Anic was prominent the hooker completed his hat-trick while the Students indiscipline saw their captain Fionn Devereux yellow carded just before half-time at which stage Buccs had narrowed their arrears to 17-21.
Buccs scoring pattern continued following the change of ends when, following a super penalty to touch by Dylan Duffy, the Pirates pack poured forward over the home line with Glennon again applying the finishing touch. Henson landed a super conversion to this bonus point try from the right touchline.
Anic and Patrick Egan were held up either side of a Henson penalty rebounding off an upright as Buccaneers continued to force the pace. Skipper Abu Saka finished off further pressure for a 62nd minute try before Glennon completed his handful of touchdowns five minutes later as Buccs stretched their lead to 36-21.
They nodded off for a brief period and UCD capitalised to notch a bonus point try but Buccaneers had the final say when, after Anic was held up just short of the College line, Stephen O’Connor was up in support to score his side’s seventh try to confirm their superiority on a 41-28 margin.
This was an excellent comeback by the Athlone side for whom Glennon put in a 5-star performance. Anic and Saka were also outstanding in a dominant pack laying the foundations for a fine overall team display.
UCD:- A.Walsh; R.Besse, E.Keane, J.Harkin, F.Kenney; N.Bastida, L.Kilmurray; J.Deegan, F.Devereux (captain), C.Harris; R.Murphy, F.O’Neill; E.Keena, C.Staunton and R.Maguire. Replacements:- E.Porter, L.Cormican, P.Fitzpatrick, C.Gibbs and E.Gallagher-Doyle.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Duffy; D.Reid, A.Henson, L.McCormack, G.Murphy; J.Quinn, R.Costello; E.Rooney-Digan, S.Glennon, A.Oates; C.Spellman, L.Anic; E.McMickan, K.Byrne and A.Saka (captain). Replacements:- P.Egan (for Byrne, h/t), C.McKinney (for Costello), T.Trainor (for Murphy), C.Dowling (for Reid), E.McLaughlin (for Spellman), S.O’Connor (for Rooney-Digan) and S.Madden (for McCormack).
Referee:- Berney White (Leinster).
