The top of the table clash between Queen’s University and Buccaneers provided highly entertaining fare with the league leaders forced to battle all the way to maintain their winning sequence and their perch on top of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A as it breaks for the festive season.
Buccaneers started positively and took the game to the Students, opening the scoring with a seventh minute Michael Hanley penalty from 35 metres. They swiftly stretched that advantage a further seven minutes into the game. Stephen Mannion made a break along the right and spotted acres of space behind the defence. He deftly chipped over the cover but was tackled late to deny him a clearcut scoring opportunity. Referee Padraic Reidy had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and also flashing a yellow card to the offender Graham Curtis. 10-0 to Buccs.
It should have got even better for the Athlone side at the end of the opening quarter. Ruaidhri Fallon made a scything break from his own half and Buccs got right to the Queens line where James Kelly and Staunton were both held out. The Pirates were then held up over the line but the ball should have been moved smartly to the right flank where Thomas McGann was totally unmarked; unfortunately, his shouts for possession went unheeded.
Buccaneers were to rue that missed opportunity just five minutes later. David Whitten won a lineout on his own 22 and fed Robbie Johnston who made good ground up the middle. He offloaded to Jonny Hunter who finished the move with a fine finish for a try in the left corner. Richie McMaster added the touchline conversion and confidence flooded back into Queens ranks. College grabbed the lead just before halftime, capitalising on a wayward pass by Will Reilly, and an enterprising counter-attack was completed by Curtis Pollock for an unconverted try that gave Queens a narrow 12-10 lead at the interval.
Queens made the perfect start to the second half with another slick move yielding Hunter’s second try on 42 minutes. Although McMaster’s conversion rebounded off an upright, now assisted by the diagonal breeze and the slope the hosts went for the jugular. Further impressive interplay led to their bonus point try scored by Michael Orr wide on the right. Although McMaster was again unable to convert, Queens now led 22-10 with half an hour to play.
Buccs responded and a series of fine drives followed a penalty to the right, as the Pirates got close to the Students’ line. This time Buccs showed greater awareness and the ball was moved to Mannion who was held out close to the uprights. He got the ball to Hanley who showed great resolve and strength to charge in through two defenders for a 54th minute try. Although his seemingly straight-forward conversion rebounded off an upright, Buccs were still very much in the contest at 22-15.
Queens continued to attack but were met with committed and determined defending until the 72nd minute when a home maul following a lineout put the visitors under increased pressure earning replacement prop Ward a trip to the sin bin. McMaster duly slotted over the resultant penalty. Buccs kept battling valiantly and a losing bonus point looked possible. But in the final action of a fast-flowing and exhilarating duel, Shane Jennings slipped off a tackle and Ben Heath scooted in for a try at the posts. McMaster’s conversion proved the final act of a very entertaining affair.
But Buccs can take positives from this contest. They lasted the pace, and it was quick, and they defended resolutely for most of it. However, they kicked too much possession away, not the shrewdest option against a College outfit, and the lineouts went awry in the second half.
The scrum held up well and there was some enterprising play in the backline. But errors contributed to three Queens tries and mistakes of this nature must be eliminated prior to future contests.
Buccaneers Win Connacht U14 League
Buccaneers U14s put in a magnificent second half display to come from behind and defeat Sligo 11-8 in a thrilling Connacht League final played at Creggs excellent The Green grounds on Saturday.
Buccs reached the league final by winning all their league games apart from a famous nil-nil draw with Creggs. The strength of the squad is the large panel which the team has been able to turn to when players are unavailable.
Fielding two teams gives all fringe players an opportunity to perform and improve which they would not otherwise get. These young Buccs are a resilient bunch and can play some super rugby. On Saturday they played a great opening quarter and were very near to scoring on a number of occasions.
In a tight contest, the teams were level with 10 minutes remaining with Buccs were doing all the pressing. They had to score again to win the game as there is no extra time and Sligo had scored the first try which meant they would win the league if it remained tied.
Buccs attacked continuously and forced Sligo to concede a penalty which the ice cool Andrew Cotton converted via the upright. Buccs then played the rest of the game in the Sligo half and Peter Bourke won a lineout for Darragh Glennon to hoof the ball into touch.
Referee Christy O’Sullivan blew the final whistle and jubilation reigned in the Pirates camp.
