GALWEGIANS 31 BUCCANEERS 14
GALWEGIANS proved too strong for Buccaneers when winning this final round of the Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior League match 31-14 at well attended Crowley Park on Saturday. Their pack was more seasoned than the visiting unit and their backline displayed crisp handling and movement. Rain had abated by kick-off with a crossfield breeze proving tricky at times.
Injury ruled Orrin Burgess out of this fixture with Harry Balsiger replacing him on the left wing while Ryan Duffy, Anthony Markov and Niel Botes started in the pack.
A diagonal kick 12 minutes in unlocked the midlanders defence with Jack Quinn applying the finishing touch for a try converted from wide on the left by Tiarnan Neville. Buccs grew into the contest but it was the hosts who struck next when they made swift ground following a lineout on halfway. Luke Casserly was able to run in between the uprights for a 20th minute try and Neville added the extras.
The Tribesmens advantage increased to 21-0 seven minutes later with Robert Holian getting over for a converted try and they secured their bonus point on 31 minutes when Casserly notched his second try. Buccs looked down and out but they finished the half stronger and, following a quickly tapped penalty by Abel Bouwens, Corey Reid made a fine carry to send Tom Shine in for a try. Dylan Duffy’s conversion left the score 26-7 in favour of Galwegians at the break.
Buccaneers gave debuts to Adam Cooper, Sam Meecham and Dan Donovan for the second half and prop Cooper made an instant impact with a crunching tackle following the restart. The alert Meecham then smartly tapped a close-in penalty to surge over for a 44nd minute try converted by Dylan Duffy. The exchanges now were much livelier but the Pirates could not add to their tally while Wegians sealed the verdict when Holian finished off a fine maul for a late try that completed the 31-14 scoreline.
Jarrad Butler was a key influence for the home forwards while Canadian Neville directed matters in their backline. Reid and Bouwens were pick of the Buccs backs with Meecham, Conor Sheehan and Luke Balsiger doing best in the forwards exchanges. The teams meet again in the opening round of the Energia All-Ireland League at Dubarry Park on Saturday week when the Shannonsiders cannot afford another slow start.
GALWEGIANS:- D.Kennedy; P.Sharkey, F.Stewart, C.Farrell, O.McKey; T.Neville, L.Casserly; J.Winters, R.Smith, T.Gormley; R.Holian, J.Quinn; L.Angermann, D.Keane and J.Butler. Replacements:- S.McGovern, L.Murtagh, D.Canny, C.Elwood, B.Donnelly and E.Cuddy.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Duffy; R.Murphy-Sweeney, T.Shine, C.Reid (captain), H.Balsiger; A.Bouwens, L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly, O.Dolan, R.Duffy; C.Sheehan, A.Markov; N.Botes, R.Byrne and L.Balsiger. Replacements:- S.Meecham (for Markov, h/t), D.Donovan (for Byrne, h/t), A.Cooper (for Kelly, h/t), C.Byrne (for R.Duffy, 53 mins), S.Rohan (for Dolan, 53 mins), A.Saka (for Botes, 58 mins), D.Connolly (for Reid, inj. 61 mins) and L.Cassidy.
Referee:- Karol Collins (Connacht).
