Young Munster prove too strong for youthful Buccs

YOUNG MUNSTER proved too strong and smart for a youthful Buccaneers side when the clubs met in the opening round of this season's AIB League Division 1B at Tom Clifford Park, Limerick, where the homesters prevailed on a 23-3 scoreline. Munsters were sharper and physically stronger in most departments than the midlanders whose side, featuring four teenagers in their backline, is clearly a work in progress. Yet the margin does scant justice to Buccs who battled to the bitter end without getting a vital break or two. The host club's facilities are getting a serious makeover at present and the main pitch has recently undergone a lot of work. Thus Young Munster were glad to see the arrival of some dampness in the weather to freshen the playing surface. This moisture did not dampen the exchanges but a blustery, crossfield breeze made life difficult for the players particularly the place-kickers in front of a decent attendance. Captain Colm Rigney, rested as a precaution last week at Garryowen, was fully fit to lead out his side which also included youthful trio flanker Sean Stapleton and props Conor Higgins and Martin Staunton in the pack. 19-year-olds Adam Kennedy and Johannes Hendrik (JH) Potgeiter paired at half-back with Brendan Carpenter making his competitive debut at full-back, and two more youngsters Paul Harte and Billy Henshaw plied on opposite wings. 'The Cookies' had a quality, experienced half-back partnership in Alan Kingsley and coach Mike Prendergast, a seasoned front row trio and impressive duo Neville Melbourne and especially Liam Óg Murphy in the backrow. Carpenter and Kennedy had to quickly be alert defensively as Young Munster probed for an early break but Buccaneers scored in their first real foray after just five minutes. The Limerick side repelled the initial offensive but then restarted poorly before conceding a penalty from the resultant scrum. This gave scrum-half Kennedy the ideal start as he comfortably slotted over the placekick. But, five minutes later, he could not resist the temptation to grab possession in an off-side position and Kingsley was equal to the task from the ten-metre line. Both placekickers then missed a penalty apiece before Kingsley slotted over a 23rd minute penalty, after Buccs had dithered when attempting to clear their lines and home pressure forced the infringement. The exchanges were relatively even for the opening half-hour before Derek Corcoran was allowed far too much time and leeway to build up a head of steam that coaxed a lunging tackle from Anthony Hughes that earned the Buccs lock ten minutes in the sin-bin. Kingsley missed the resultant penalty but, six minutes later, the homesters opted to kick to touch to the left corner when they were awarded another penalty. Urged on by their passionate followers, Young Munster now drove forward to make their numerical superiority pay but Buccs looked like holding them out as half-time loomed before Kingsley found a gap to dive over at the posts for a try which he converted to give his side some breathing space 13-3 ahead at the interval. Buccs dearly needed to get the first score of the second half but Young Munster came flying out of the traps on the restart. They soon forced a penalty, when Buccs were deemed guilty of crossing, and they punted this to the right corner where, after line-out possession was won, the ball was moved to the left and then back across-field where Aaron Carroll finished off for a 43rd minute try. This score took some impetus out of Buccs challenge whilst a number of decisions went Munsters way, notably when Kennedy was cynically tackled just before half-time and also when a home back-rower was penalised for 'shoeing', incidents that to this observer were patently as worthy (if worthy is not an inappropriate term!) of yellow cards as was Hughes' indiscretion. But Greenfields is a daunting venue for match officials with home fans always prepared to "referee"! A typical Rigney charge on 50 minutes lifted the midlanders' spirits but they could not make any consistent inroads into home territory while Young Munster, with Prendergast pulling the strings, made far more effective use of their line kicking, whilst their superior strength and fitness gave them a decided edge. Although their line-out throwing was clearly not down the channel on many occasions, referee Alan Rogan did not penalise them until the 71st minute in this regard, but he had no hesitation in issuing a second yellow card to the visitors' Padraig Burke two minutes from time when he felt the young substitute was deliberately slowing possession. Munsters promptly punished depleted Buccs when centre Clem Casey crashed through for a try to complete the scoring. The 23-3 margin flattered Young Munster somewhat but, nevertheless, they were the more cohesive, assured outfit who possessed more threat. Prendergast and Kingsley are a potent pairing at halfback, their centres are strong and the wings have pace. In the pack, Murphy was prominent throughout, Slattery and Flaherty were sturdy in the front row trenches and Shane O'Neill did a lot of the hard slogging at lock. But Buccs should not get too despondent for they are clearly a 'work in progress' and perhaps have some catching up to do in the conditioning stakes. Kennedy and Potgeiter should learn from this encounter and the young South African will be more familiar and settled in his next outing. Although small in stature, Carpenter looks an exciting talent while the return of John O'Brien is very much welcome in the backline. Rigney led the battle at No. 8 in the forwards exchanges with best assistance from Garreth Halligan, Higgins and Stephen Burke. YOUNG MUNSTER: R.Moloney; A.Carroll, I.Cross, C.Casey, D.Corcoran; A.Kingsley, M.Prendergast; G.Flaherty, G.Slattery (captain), A.Cotter; D.Payne, S.O'Neill; L.Óg Murphy, S.Hassett and N.Melbourne. Replacements used: B.Guilfoyle (for Hassett, 57 mins), D.Murphy (for Flaherty, 62), J.Griffin (for Payne, 68) and C.Clohessy (for Melbourne, inj. 74). BUCCANEERS: B.Carpenter; W.Henshaw, G.Kelly, A.Hayman, P.Harte; J.H.Potgeiter, A.Kennedy; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, C.Higgins; Anthony Hughes, J.Tormey; S.Burke, S.Stapleton and C.Rigney (captain). Replacements: B.Gilligan (for Staunton, 55 mins), P.Burke (for Tormey, 55), M.Madden (for S.Burke, inj. 62), J.O'Brien (for Carpenter, 65) and C.Watters (for Stapleton, 74). REFEREE: A.Rogan (Leinster).