Brave Buccs sink Ballymena to claim first league victory

BUCCANEERS claimed their first victory of the current AIB League campaign when a tremendous team effort was rewarded with hard-earned and morale-boosting 18-15 Division 1B victory over Ballymena at Eaton Park on Saturday. Buccs did not let the adverse weather conditions or two personnel changes just prior to kick off upset their focus, and they showed tremendous resilience and savvy to take the scalp of the second-placed Braidmen. Paul Harte was delayed en route and thus J.H. Potgeiter, who was named on the bench following a recent injury, started at fullback. Sean Stapleton, meanwhile, was ill and Conor O'Loughlin's pre-dawn flight from Glasgow saw him line out on the left wing. The midlanders started with six changes in personnel from their AIB Cup defeat away to Shannon, John O'Brien returning on the right wing while Aidan Wynne made his first start of the season teaming up with his Connacht colleague Brian Touhy in the centre. In the pack, Conor Higgins returned at tight-head and Colm Rigney resumed at No. 8 following injury. Stephen Burke moved to openside with Colin Watters switching to blindside and Padraig Burke sited at lock in a much-realigned starting XV. Ballymena started as selected with Chris Brigl in the centre, Simon Shawe anchoring the front-row and Sam McKinney at No. 8. A strong diagonal breeze favoured Buccaneers in the opening half and both teams exchanged early territorial superiority before a Ballymena attack in front of the posts was deemed to have been halted illegally by Buccs slowing up the ball in a ruck. Rory Drysdale duly converted the resultant penalty to give the home side a tonic start. But Buccs settled down to the challenge on hand although it took them until the end of the opening quarter to get on the scoreboard. After some scrappy play by both sides, Alex Hayman set up a good attacking position near Ballymena's 22 with a fine touch. Buccaneers set up a terrific maul after claiming lineout possession and drove the northerners backwards with the rapidly-improving Martin Staunton powering over for an excellently-worked try which Adam Kennedy converted on 20 minutes. From the restart, Ballymena infringed inside the Buccs half and Kennedy made the most of the elements to thump over a magnificent penalty from close to his own ten-metre line. Coming up to half-time, home centre Jamie Smyth was sin-binned and Kennedy extended Buccs advantage to 13-3 with the ensuing placekick. But, before Buccaneers could further capitalise on their temporary numerical superiority, Ballymena made a prompt and telling response. Mauling successfully inside the visitors' 22, skipper McKinney touched down in a well-worked team try but they could not add the conversion and so Buccs led 13-8 at half-time. This home try was a clear warning signal to the midlanders of Ballymena's potential but the Ulster side failed subsequently to utilise this mauling tactic, which put them in such a promising position for the second half, when wind assisted. Drysdale missed a penalty kick soon after the restart and, perhaps, had his place-kicking been up to expectations the result may have been different. He saw one kick rebound off an upright. Buccs introduced Harte for young Kennedy with O'Loughlin slotting in at scrum-half where his greater experience and strength was used effectively to take up the ball against the elements. They continued to run the ball out of their own half, often from deep positions and - despite the greasy conditions - rarely made any handling errors. Hayman was prominent too eschewing the touchline to take on the home attack as Buccs retained possession for long periods. But home pressure eventually took its toll and a penalty try was awarded to Ballymena, with little prior warning or second chance by referee Leo Colgan, as Buccs prevented the feed defending close to their own line. Drysdale duly converted the straight-forward kick to edge Ballymena 15-13 ahead and give them all the initiative they needed to kick on. Now it was Buccaneers turn to respond to the challenge being laid down. They continued to consistently put in telling tackles in numbers, their relentless workrate and discipline frustrating their hosts as they continued to repel Ballymena attacks. Hayman kicked a lengthy touch from hand sixteen minutes from time and, from the lineout, Buccs drove deep into home territory. Conor Higgins was twice prominent in this phase, first in the maul and then breaking down the right side into the opposition 22 where he sent O'Brien accelerating along the touchline for a superbly-taken try. Teenager Potgeiter could not convert from out wide against the elements but he had an excellent outing with both boot and ball in hand although out of position at fullback - definitely his best game to date. Buccs now had their noses in front again and, with their defensive work up to the mark and support play top notch, they finished strongly to control the closing stages with Benny Gilligan and particularly Anthony Hughes joining the fray to telling effect. One would find it nigh on impossible to select a man of the match for this was truly a squad effort. Buccs are maturing and now look like a team with much greater organisation, purpose and potential. It was a badly-needed win in adverse circumstances, but attitude and discipline proved crucial in a combined effort. With a panel of modest depth, Buccaneers success depends on reproducing the spirit and organisation in this game. Both Burkes, Stephen and Padraig, as well as Higgins and the battling Watters were full of commitment in a magnificent pack effort. In the backline, every position carried a threat and Hayman was very solid and astute. The busy O'Loughlin made an industrious contribution while Wynne too played a significant role in this long overdue win.