BUCCANEERS 38 OLD WESLEY 15
Buccaneers maintained top spot in the J.P.Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 when they were worthy 38-15 victors over Old Wesley at Dubarry Park on Sunday. On a sunny, crisp afternoon the midlanders pack laid the foundation for this Super Six Group 1 success with the first five of their six tries all scored by forwards.
With Dylan Duffy, Andrew Henson, Callum Kelly and Lorcan McCormack all missing from the home backline, it was critical that the Pirates pack put in a dominant contribution. This they did for large swathes of a well-contested affair. Although having the assistance of the light cool breeze, the Shannonsiders conceded an 8th minute penalty converted by Andrew McAdams but thereafter their grip on the proceedings became firmer as the game progressed, apart from brief periods either side of the interval.
Buccs gradually pegged Old Wesley back although it took until the end of the first quarter before they opened their account. Following an impressive maul, pressure was maintained close to the visitors’ line until Kyle Byrne applied the finishing touch. Seven minutes later a knock-on over the metropolitans line merely delayed Buccaneers next touchdown, Byrne again coming up with ball after their second try. Jack Quinn converted both tries to give the home side a 14-3 lead at half-time.
Six minutes into the second half Buccs forced a penalty after which Old Wesley were pinged a further ten metres. Good lineout possession was secured following the punt to touch and an irrepressible maul was finished off by Sean Glennon for a try at The Bounty corner. Quinn added an excellent conversion from wide on the right.
Buccaneers then had a sloppy period with a tardy clearance being blocked down and Steven Hendy pounced for a 48th minute try converted by McAdams. The visitors almost snatched an intercept try moments later but a scrambled defence halted Joe Cullen’s progress. However, Abu Saka was sin-binned shortly afterwards for not retreating ten metres at an Old Wesley penalty and the Dubliners made the most of their temporary numerical superiority when Matthew Plant dotted down wide on the left.
This reduced their arrears to 21-15 but they then incurred a yellow card to Kevin Cussen. Buccs regrouped and regained their focus and aggression to dictate the final quarter although it took a number of sallies before they added to their tally. Sean Glennon charged through to secure their bonus point try on 58 minutes with Quinn adding the extras.
On his return to the fray, Saka made a strong carry after Aindriu Oates had made good ground to send Glennon in for his second try on 69 minutes. Buccaneers had the final say when Conor Dowling intercepted near his own ten metre line and he had the gas to stride away and notch his side’s sixth try which completed the 38-15 winning margin.
Buccs needed the forwards to perform and the whole unit had power and efficiency to dominate with standout contributions from Leo Anic, Sean Rohan and the front rowers. But the backline had fine displays too especially from the versatile Patrick Egan, promising flyhalf Quinn and Danny Reid.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Reid; S.Madden, G.Murphy, P.Egan, C.Dowling; J.Quinn, R.Costello; E.Rooney-Digan, S.Glennon, A.Oates; C.Spellman, L.Anic; K.Byrne, E.McMickan and S.Rohan (captain). Replacements:- A.Saka (for Byrne, h/t), E.McLaughlin (for Madden, 58 mins), S.O’Connor (for Rooney-Digan, 66 mins), C.McKinney (for Glennon, 71 mins), M.Turner (for Costello, 71 mins) and T.Trainor.
OLD WESLEY:- S.Ryan; J.Bennett, J.O’Keeffe, D.Gilmore, M.Plant; A.McAdams, S.Hendy; J.Cullen, J.Shirley, G.Agar; A.Gordon, C.Doyle; W.Mocko, L.L’Estrange and S.McMullin. Replacements:- H.Shannon, K.Cussen, Z.Treacy, M.Campbell, H.Jacob and J.Duffy.
Referee:- Jamie Coyle (Leinster).
