Layden leads the way as slick Buccs return to winning ways

BUCCANEERS returned to winning ways when they outpointed Dungannon 33-20 in a hugely entertaining and lively Ulster Bank League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. Apart from a diagonal breeze, playing and weather conditions were near perfect on a cool but sunny afternoon. James Robinson and Callum Boland were injury absentees for the hosts, the former out with a long term setback. Martin Staunton started at loosehead with Denis Buckley moving to tighthead while Brian Touhy made his first start this season on the left wing. Michael Kearney and Eoghan Grace returned to the pack in place of Padraig de Burca and Luke Satchwell respectively while Adam Kennedy was preferred to Alex Hayman at centre. Dungannon lined out along anticipated lines with former Ireland international scrum-half Kieran Campbell partnering ex-Bucc Jaryd Bennett at half-back for this Dubarry sponsored fixture. The game commenced at breakneck speed and Dungannon grabbed the lead in the opening minute after Buccaneers were penalised for not releasing the ball in front of their posts straight from the kick-off. Bennett made an instant impact on his return to Dubarry Park by converting the penalty. But the northerners' lead lasted just three minutes when, after a rousing run by Kolo Kiripati, Buccs made ground and from an ensuing lineout on the left near halfway, the midlanders moved the ball smartly before Paul Harte released John O'Brien, who dotted down at the posts for a fine try which Jack Carty converted. Then from the restart, Daniel Qualter's deft off-load to Shane Layden caught Dungannon off-guard and the flying young winger stunned the visitors with a wonderful run from deep for an inspiring solo try on the right. Out-half Carty's conversion rebounded wide off the near upright but the home fans, still settling in to their seats and on the terraces, looked forward to a feast of scores. The Tyrone outfit responded to the challenge laid down but a forward pass denied them a quick reply. However, Chris Cochrane was soon flying through the centre on his way to a try which Bennett converted to make the score 12-10 after a mere 11 minutes. Dungannon withdrew Paul McCarroll at the end of the opening quarter and replacement Callum Threlfall was literally seconds on the pitch when he was yellow carded as the Ulster side brought down a home maul very close to their try-line. Buccs laid siege to the visitors' line for a protracted spell, forcing a succession of penalties which they opted to scrum, and a penalty try looked imminent as Dungannon struggled. But Buccs lost their patience and somehow the Ulster side did not concede a try at this juncture. Then a promising move involving Layden, O'Brien and Carty was spoiled by a knock-on while Dungannon found it hard to clear their lines. Then, following a five metre scrum, the Ulster men made a quick break but Cochrane spilled the ball forward when Buccs had been sucked forward on 29 minutes. Exchanges continued in whirlwind fashion and, as Dungannon now pressed forward, home captain Kiripati was sin-binned for coming in from the side but the alert Layden made a vital intercept to avert danger following the resultant penalty. Almost immediately, a forward pass denied the Pirates a real try opportunity before Touhy had to scurry across the paddock to dump Mark O'Shea into touch as the Ulster side threatened to breach the home cover. Thus a lively first half ended with Buccs 12-10 ahead. Chances were fewer in the third quarter but Carty had to put in a solid tackle to stop Stuart McCloskey's progress on 49 minutes but Dungannon regained the lead when Bennett landed a 62nd minute penalty. Buccs may now have been thinking that they would rue their period of strong territory before half-time that went unrewarded on the scoreboard but Dungannon's advantage lasted just two minutes on this occasion when a wonderful drive by the home forwards forced a penalty which Carty slotted over. Three minutes later, the midlanders secured possession just outside their own 22 and, following fast ball to the left, Touhy heralded his return to the Pirates with a lightening raid from halfway down the flank, his pace and power taking him over the visitors' line for a mighty 67th minute try. Carty added a smashing conversion for a 22-13 lead. Almost immediately, a wonderful Carty long 'up and under' was fielded by Cochrane but marauding Pirates engulfed him, forcing a 70th minute penalty which the young out-half duly converted. However, Dungannon continued to battle and were rewarded following the switch of centre McCloskey to out-half with a pushover try by Ali Birch with six minutes remaining to leave matters still finely balanced. But, as Buccaneers swarmed forward once more, 'Gannon' were tempted offside in front of their posts and Carty could not miss this 77th minute penalty. From the restart, Threlfall rashly tackled Qualter in the air and he was promptly dispatched for a second visit to the sin-bin. Buccs promptly set about making their numerical advantage pay on this occasion and some further good handling got possession to Conor Lavelle and the substitute made it a quartet of tries scored by backs when he just squeezed in for a 79th minute try in the left corner. Although Carty's conversion attempt glanced the wrong side of an upright, Buccs had earned a winning bonus point and, in the process, denied Dungannon a bonus point for the first match this season. Flying winger Layden faced stiff competition for the 'AUDI Athlone man of the match' accolade with Mark Dolan, flanker Grace, prop Buckley and standoff Carty all strong contenders. Buccaneers can now enjoy a brief Christmas break from action, lying joint second in the league table just two points adrift of new leaders Ballymena. Buccaneers J.O'Brien; S.Layden, P.Harte, A.Kennedy, B.Touhy; J.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, D.Buckley; M.Kearney, D.Qualter; D.Heffernan, E.Grace and K.Kiripati (captain). Replacements used: S.Stapleton (for Halligan, 75 mins), C.Lavelle (for O'Brien, 75 mins), A.Hayman (for Kennedy, 75 mins), B.Gilligan (for Staunton, 78 mins) and J.Tormey (for Kearney, 78 mins). Temporary substitution:- Tormey (for Kearney, 39-42 mins). Dungannon C.Gaston; M.O'Shea, P.McKenzie, S.McCloskey, C.Cochrane; J.Bennett, K.Campbell; G.Sinnamon, A.Duhig, M.Farquhar; P.McCarroll, M.Jenkinson (captain); D.Hall, R.Halsall and A.Birch. Replacements: C.Threlfall (for McCarroll, 20 mins), J.McMahon (for Birch, 65 mins) and Birch (for Bennett, 71 mins). Temporary substitution: McMahon (for Hall, 58-62 mins). Referee Leo Colgan (IRFU).