Buccs make promising start with big win over Wegians

Buccaneers 28 Galwegians 5

By Michael Silke

Buccaneers scored a most encouraging 28-5 victory over Galwegians in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior League at well-attended Dubarry Park, Athlone on Thursday night.

Both sides fielded new look squads but, after a relatively even opening half, the Pirates took control of the proceedings to record a clearcut win when an unusual refereeing decision denied them a bonus point.

On a mild misty night, the early exchanges were understandably rusty. Both squads commenced with just six starters each from their final AIL game of last season, both equally divided between backs and forwards.

Some ten minutes had elapsed before the Pirates put their first meaningful move together which earned them a penalty punted to the left. Decent recycling ensued from the lineout, yielding another penalty that Leo MacFarlane tapped smartly to carve through for a 12th-minute try left of the uprights.

It took the visitors a further ten minutes to launch their first serious attack, a powerful maul that Buccs held out when it got to their line. The hosts responded with a flowing attack that yielded two penalties in quick succession. Gearoid McDonald, who was off-target with his earlier conversion attempt, made no mistake to put the Shannonsiders 8-0 ahead after 27 minutes.

They did not make the most of a couple of other promising situations and were then caught napping when a missed tackle following a quickly tapped penalty ended with Robert Deacy reducing the visitors’ arrears with an unconverted try (37th minute).

An apparent deliberate knock-on by the light blues in front of the posts escaped a yellow card but McDonald slotted over the resultant penalty to give Buccaneers a deserved 11-5 lead at half-time.

Buccs then survived an early second half scare when Harry Balsiger dotted down a long kick ahead but the home pack forced a relieving penalty from the resultant five-metre scrum.

The full-back soon made amends with a splendid kick that made huge yardage and penned the Tribesmen back. This led to a spell of sustained pressure by Buccs and Cathal Walsh powered over for a 50th-minute try wide on the left with McDonald adding an excellent conversion.

The midlanders were now clearly dominating and looked to have notched their third try, and MacFarlane’s second, as the game entered the final quarter.

Increasing pressure saw the scrum-half, returning after a lengthy injury absence, finish off continuous stress on the opposition to get over the Wegians line. Meanwhile, two opposing players were involved off the ball and referee John Quinn, following consultation with a touch-judge, saw fit to rule out the touchdown although the ‘handbags’ did not appear to have been a contribution to Buccs scoring. Orrin Burgess incurred a trip to the sin bin for his part in this incident.

Four minutes later, Galwegians incurred a yellow card due to their mounting penalty count. Then in the closing moments, a thumping tackle near the ten-metre line turned over possession and the eager Conor Dowling romped away for a try which McDonald converted to complete the 28-5 scoreline.

The winning margin was perhaps as unexpected as it was richly merited, and indeed the homesters were unlucky not to seal a bonus point. Buccs were the much more cohesive and industrious outfit. Their work rate after a scrappy opening was relentless and they dominated the lineouts particularly. MacFarlane and McDonald controlled matters at half-back with Burgess also prominent in the backline, while Luke Balsiger, Sean Glennon and Walsh all had good moments in a fine overall contribution by the forwards.

All in all, a promising and encouraging start by the Pirates ahead of their fixture away to Corinthians tomorrow (Saturday, 2pm).

Buccaneers: H. Balsiger; E. Friel, T. Shine, O. Burgess, C. Dowling; G. McDonald, L. MacFarlane; J. Kelly (captain), S. Glennon, C. Byrne; C. Sheehan, R. O’Meara; P. Egan, D. Bolger, L. Balsiger. Replacements: D. Quinn (for Byrne, 31 mins), C. Walsh (for Bolger, h-t), A. Saka (for O’Meara, inj. 45 mins), K. Blessing (for Kelly, 50 mins), J. Quinn (for Friel, 58 mins), A. Oates (for D. Quinn), S. Fogarty (for Sheehan, 69 mins) and R. Colleran (for Egan, 69 mins).

Galwegians: D. Kennedy; C. Farrell, R. Deacy, O. McKey, C. O’Shaughnessy; J. Deacy, B. Donnelly; G. Ukwouma, E. Ferry, T. Gormley; N. Duggan, B. McHugo; J. Burke, D. Keane (captain), C. McGrath.Replacements used: C. Joyce, M. Harty, R. Conneely, C. O’Reilly, C. Connolly and T. Berry.

Referee: John Quinn (Connacht).