League leaders prove far too strong as Buccs stay bottom

The gulf between top and bottom was regularly in evidence as leaders Old Belvedere defeated Buccaneers 33-12 in their refixed AIB League Division 1B game played in bright sunshine and biting cold at Anglesea Road, Dublin, on Sunday. The league pace-setters were promptly into stride, touching down for a try within 40 seconds on their way to a five try bonus point victory that keeps them in pole position for promotion. Buccs made a number of changes both personnel and positional from last weekend's heart-breaking defeat at Galwegians. Padraig Burke was injured midweek on AIT duty and captain Colm Rigney switched to lock with Stephen Burke fit to return at wing-forward. Kolo Kiripati now manned the key No. 8 berth. Adam Kennedy was ill en route to the game so the backline had to be further realigned before kick-off, with Conor O'Loughlin operating at scrum-half. Aidan Wynne replaced his Connacht team-mate Brian Touhy in the centre with a third Connacht player Troy Nathan making his Buccaneers debut at fullback. Conor Lavelle moved to the left wing in place of the unavailable John O'Brien, while Billy Henshaw was a late call-up on the right flank. Old Belvedere fielded close to full-strength with Andy Dunne and Chris Keane forming a hugely experienced pairing at half-back with Ed Devitt preferred at fullback. Like Buccs, the Dubliners have a fairly settled pack, driven by a teak tough and mobile backrow trio where last season's skipper Richie Leyden was fit again. The home side, aided by fresh breeze, got the perfect start, catching Buccs cold for a soft David Mongan try down the left flank well inside the opening minute. Dunne converted and the midlanders were at sixes and sevens for the opening quarter as Leo Auva'a and Mongan both went close before Dunne missed a penalty after the referee had cause for a few words with Henshaw on 14 minutes. But then Buccs seemed to steady the ship and put a series of promising pick and drive moves together, although they could not outmanoeuvre a steely home defence, allowed to play on the margins until far too late in the game by referee who didn't appear au fait with the offside laws of rugby. He also missed a significant high tackle on O'Loughlin with the scores at 0-7 just before Auva'a intercepted as Buccaneers made inroads at the home 22 and suddenly possession was at the opposite end with ex-Bucc Keane dotting down for a 28th minute try which Dunne also converted. This took some steam out of Buccs who were then unlucky when Alex Hayman's deft diagonal chip bounced just too high for the chasing Lavelle, while Belvo were more fortunate when winger Mongan added to his growing haul of tries this season with a touchdown on the left just a minute before half-time to leave the homesters a comfortable 19-0 ahead at the break. Buccaneers really needed to grab the first score of the second half but, eight minutes in to this period, Leyden thundered through powerfully for a try after a close-in lineout was awarded to Old Belvedere. This should really have been a Buccs throw-in as a home player had got a foot to an attempted clearance by the visitors. The city side cared not a wit, bonus point now achieved, and Dunne slotted over another conversion before the best score of the game followed on 57 minutes, when John Kennedy stormed away on an angled solo run from halfway for a splendid try to give Belvo a commanding 33-0 lead. Beleaguered Buccaneers may have been tempted to throw in the towel at this stage but, bravely, they battled on. The home side's persistent infringing was eventually punished by the referee with prop Nermin Lovic despatched to the sin bin after 65 minutes. Buccs tapped the penalty and Nathan marked his debut with a try which Hayman was unable to convert. Four minutes from time, lock Paul Spivey was also yellow carded for slowing possession illegally. Buccs made the most of this too with Kiripati driving forward to make good inroads before off-loading to the supporting Hayman ,who got in for his side's second try, which he converted with a drop kick to complete a near replica scoreline to that in the earlier meeting of these clubs. Old Belvedere were sharper, stronger and more cohesive. They were also cuter overall and in "reading" the referee. Their back five excelled in the forwards clashes, the backline had a much more cutting edge, and Dunne was the glue that joined it all together. Definitely the best team Buccaneers have faced this season, Old Belvedere look well capable of competing in Division 1A. Buccs did reasonably well in phases of this contest but, once again, conceded another cheap early try after which it was always going to be an even tougher uphill slog. But, despite the endeavour of Kiripati, Wynne, Burke and Garreth Halligan, Buccs lack consistency and a clinical edge to their play. With Dungannon and Ballynahinch both picking up losing bonus points, the dreaded R word (and this time it's not the recession) is looming menacingly on the horizon. BUCCANEERS: T.Nathan; B.Henshaw, A.Wynne, A.Hayman, C.Lavelle; J.H.Potgeiter, C.O'Loughlin; B.Gilligan, G.Halligan, C.Higgins; C.Rigney (captain), J.Tormey; C.Watters, S.Burke and K.Kiripati. Replacements: M.Staunton (for Gilligan, 51 mins), S.Stapleton (for Potgeiter, inj. 51 mins), M.Madden (for Henshaw, 56 mins) and G.Kelly (for Burke, 59 mins). OLD BELVEDERE: E.Devitt; K.Hurrell, J.Kennedy, Conal Keane, D.Mongan; A.Dunne (captain), Chris Keane; V.Soden, M.Cooney, N.Lovic; P.Spivey, A.Trenier; R.Leyden, J.Risdon and L.Auva'a. Replacements used: J.Slattery (for Leyden, 59 mins), R.McCarron (for Slattery, temp.), B.O'Neill (for Chris Keane), and M.McAllister. REFEREE: Colin Stanley (Ulster).