QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 38 BUCCANEERS 32
As they had done when they met at Dubarry Park pre-Christmas, Buccaneers and Queen’s University U-20 teams served up another high-scoring thriller in their J.P.Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 Super 6 fixture played at The Dub, Belfast, on Sunday. Queen’s came out on top on this occasion but a never-say-die effort by the Pirates saw their comeback earn 2 precious bonus points on a 38-32 scoreline.
Buccs made 3 changes from the team that defeated Old Wesley. Patrick Egan and Sean Glennon were on the bench having played for the Senior team at Rainey the previous afternoon with Stephen O’Connor and Abu Saka replacing them while Tadhg Trainor came in on the left wing. The Students had a handful of personnel changes from the side that started in Athlone.
Queen’s got off to a flying start and scored 3 tries inside the opening 12 minutes for a 19-0 lead. It took Buccs until the second quarter to get to the pitch of the contest. They then went through multiple phases that Egan finished for a 23rd minute try converted by Jack Quinn.
Further Buccs pressure yielded a penalty that was kicked to the corner from where a lineout maul was touched down by O’Connor on 37 minutes but Queen’s picked up a loose pass to score a second try in similar circumstances. This earned them a bonus point and the conversion gave them a 26-12 lead at half-time.
Shortly after the change of ends the Students added another try but Buccs responded again by going through multiple phases before Egan burrowed over for his second try. A barnstorming run by Saka was rewarded with a try that narrowed the arrears to 31-24 after 64 minutes.
Queen’s capitalised on some confusion in the Buccs ranks to score a try 4 minutes later. Buccs refused to give up and Callum Kelly broke through several attempted tackles to score a bonus point try for the Pirates 2 minutes from time. Buccs then pinned the College back in the closing minutes and finally forced a penalty which Quinn slotted over to secure a losing bonus point for the midlanders on a 38-32 margin.
Buccaneers pack was the dominant unit with Saka and Leo Anic brilliant as was Egan with some powerful ball-carrying. Quinn directed a makeshift backline with authority where the introduction of Kelly shored up the defence. Queen’s backline were a threat all through this exciting contest after which Buccs maintain top spot in this pool.
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY:- R.Allen; M.Bradbury, J.Carpenter, R.Henderson, E.Thomas; E.Duncan, H.Larkin; C.Massey, A.Caldwell, E.Cameron; C.Millar, A.Lipscomb; J.McNeilly, D.Moore and E.Pavlovic. Replacements:- G.Craigan, J.Postles, M.Irwin, J.Thompson, B.Stewart, E.Wilson and H.Wan.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Reid; C.Dowling, G.Murphy, K.Byrne, T.Trainor; J.Quinn, R.Costello; E.Rooney-Digan, S.O’Connor, A.Oates; C.Spellman, L.Anic; S.Rohan (captain), E.McMickan and A.Saka. Replacements:- S.Glennon, E.McLaughlin, C.McKinney, P.Egan, C.Kelly, M.Turner and S.Madden.
Referee:- Matthew Peak (Ulster).
