Buccs take bragging rights in local derby
Date Published: {J}
BUCCANEERS 16GALWEGIANS 12
BUCCANEERS edged a tense Connacht derby when they just held on against a very unlucky Galwegians in AIL Division 1b at Dubarry Park on Saturday.
Buccs came into this game as joint-leaders of the league, and were hot favourites against a ’Wegians side that had lost four on the bounce. But as is often the case in derbies, the form book went out the window as there was little to choose between the sides on the day, with a solitary intercept try proving to be the difference.
It was the visitors who made the better start to the game, going on the attack right from the off, and following some good forward driving play, a second minute penalty gave full-back Rob O’Beirn the chance to put the Blues in front, which he duly did by splitting the posts. More ’Wegians pressure gave O’Beirn the chance to double the lead after 5 minutes, but this time he was just off target from near the touchline.
After a sluggish start, Buccs eventually got a foothold in the game, and scrum-half Adam Kennedy had a chance to level on 14 minutes, but surprisingly wasted the opportunity from in front of the posts. However he soon made amends with an easier effort from close range after more Buccs pressure had forced the Galwegians defence to drift offside.
The key moment of the match came on 27 minutes, when a ’Wegians attack brought play up to the Buccs 22. With the ball being transferred across the backline and the prospect of the visitors scoring on the right, a loose pass was intercepted by Buccs left-winger Paul Harte who raced 80 metres unopposed under the posts, giving Kennedy the simple task of converting for a 10-3 lead.
It was a killer blow for the Blues, but they responded well and O’Beirn soon reduced arrears to 10-6 with his second successful penalty. Kennedy soon restored a seven-point gap with a second penalty of his own, but another dogged response by ’Wegians gave O’Beirn the chance to make it 13-9 right on the stroke of halftime.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.