GALWEGIANS 28 BUCCANEERS 47
BUCCANEERS and Galwegians served up a very entertaining, high-scoring J.P.Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2B encounter at Crowley Park on Sunday when the visitors reversed their Connacht League result with an excellent 47-28 bonus point victory. Attired in their new TUS emblazoned jerseys, Buccs were a different proposition on this occasion and were full value for their win.
Both teams had many personnel and positional changes from that encounter. On a dull but dry afternoon, playing conditions were near ideal. Playing down the slope, the Pirates made the perfect start with Tom Sheehan striding through to touchdown for the opening try before a minute had been played. Tom Cotton powered in for the second try eleven minutes later and Dylan Duffy romped through for Buccs third on 14 minutes. With the fullback converting all three tries, Buccaneers were 21-0 ahead!
They were utterly dominant for the opening quarter, moving the ball sharply and swiftly, but then dropped their intensity from which Galwegians finally gained a foothold in the contest. Niall Sosas-O’Neill finished off their first spell of territory for a 28th minute try and, five minutes later, Robert McHugh cut through for a try. Calum Elwood converted both tries and, although he was unable to add a penalty with the final act of the first half, the light blues were very much back in the game having reduced their arrears to 21-14 at the break.
It was crucial that Buccs regained their momentum following the change of ends and they quickly did just that. A superb maul made huge yardage before Donnacha Connolly spotted a gap near the home line to swoop for a 45th minute bonus point try. A slick move following a 49th minute penalty to the left saw Sheehan thunder through for his second try. The conversion stretched Buccs advantage to 33-14 with half an hour remaining.
Wegians responded and a swiftly tapped close-in penalty was finished by Liam McNamee-Mas for a home try. Fullback Duffy was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on shortly afterwards but Buccs defensive work ensured that the Tribesmen were unable to take advantage.
Another impressive maul by the Athlonians yielded a 70th minute penalty which was smartly tapped and Charlie O’Carroll sniped through for a try which he also converted. Galwegians capitalised on a dropped ball following the restart and McNamee-Mas got in for his second try to secure a bonus point for the city side.
A promising Buccs attack saw them forced into touch close to the home line where they contested the Wegians lineout to win possession. Sean Rohan was held up just short but the ball was transferred neatly to Cotton who stretched over for his second try. Duffy’s conversion completed the 47-28 scoreline in favour of Buccaneers.
This was a richly promising display especially when Buccs moved the ball at tempo and they will learn from having allowed Wegians make it an arm-wrestle contest for a spell. There is further improvement from this squad, which is now settling, with an excellent all-round contribution by backs and forwards ensuring that the midlanders were worthy winners.
GALWEGIANS:- E.Cuddy; C.Gibbs, M.Lambe, R.McHugh, P.Sharkey; C.Elwood, B.Donnelly; G.Ukwuoma, N.Sosas-O’Neill, J.Almanzar Cordero; C.Kelly, L.McNamee-Mas; S.McGovern, E.Cunningham and J.O’Malley. Replacements:- L.Cloherty, C.Daly, C.McHugh, H.Lynch, R.McHugh and J.Lowry.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Duffy; C.Kelly, T.Cotton, T.Sheehan, T.Bourke; C.O’Carroll, D.Connolly; O.Donoghue, S.Rohan, A.Oates; A.Saka, C.Sheehan (captain); N.Botes, P.Egan and N.Tallon. Replacements:- L.McCormack (for Kelly, 59 mins), J.Dillon (for Saka, 70 mins), E.Murtagh (for Botes, 70 mins), S.Doyle (for Oates, 78 mins), M.Fallon (for Dempsey, 78 mins), E.McMickan and B.Foxe.
Referee:- Mark Harrigan (Connacht).
