Buccaneers host Dungannon in last league game of the year

BUCCANEERS bid to make a quick return to winning ways in the Ulster Bank League when they tackle Dungannon at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon. This attractive Division 1B encounter between two teams locked on 19 points kicks off at 2.30pm. It is the final league match until the New Year. Following the deduction of two points by the IRFU and the loss in Belfast, Buccs have slipped to fourth spot on scoring difference but are just four points adrift of leaders Ballynahinch. Indeed, until last Saturday, Buccs were just one of two clubs with 100 per cent success records but now Cashel, leaders in Division 2A, are the solitary side left in the four divisions who can make that boast. Dungannon, who defeated UCC last weekend, have only a 50 per cent winning ratio with just three victories so far. However, they are top dogs in the whole league when it comes to accumulating bonus points! They have a haul of seven, four from tries scored while they secured a losing bonus point in each of their defeats. Dungannon have a hardy and handy pack while pace out wide in the backline means the Ulster side is always likely to notch tries. Chris Cochrane is a real danger on the wing as is full-back Conor Gaston. Both are highly promising players who have featured for Ulster but not as regularly as they might wish this season. The injured Paddy Jackson will be a loss at out-half but that could mean a return to Dubarry Park for Jaryd Bennett who made a very promising start with Buccs last season until he sustained a nasty injury at Clontarf. The wily Kieran Campbell could feature at scrum-half. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig and Mark Farquhar are a seasoned front row trio. Ali Birch is a competitive openside flanker while lock Tim Barker could be hugely influential if available. Buccs have made a terrific start to the league and should not be deflected by last Saturday's setback to Harlequins. Their squad is hugely promising but young and perhaps lacking in guile and hardness yet. The backline has bags of talent and potential and, if the Pirates pack can at least hold its own with the 'Gannon unit, then Buccs are well capable of making home advantage pay. With Connacht in action on Saturday also, the midlanders will not know until later in the week if Michael Kearney and/or Eoghan Grace will be available. The more experienced Grace would be a decided asset for this contest but Padraig de Burca and James Robinson will both have benefited from First XV duty last weekend and should be sharper as a result. Buccs got everything right, on and off the pitch, against leaders Ballynahinch in their last home match and, hopefully, a near full-strength panel can repeat the dose as the Pirates face Ulster opposition for the third successive fixture. With Buccaneers going so well and generally playing entertaining rugby, a decent crowd should be enticed away from firesides and pubs/shops for this game. Admission is only €10 (Pirates admitted free on production of their Pirates cards) and, of course, accompanied children up to the age of 14 are also admitted free.