HIGHFIELD 14 BUCCANEERS 17
Buccaneers came out tops against both Highfield and the elements at Woodleigh Park, Cork, where the midlanders won a well-contested Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B encounter on Saturday.
In the process of securing victory, Buccaneers traded places in the league table with the Corkonians by virtue of a merited 17-14 victory, the margin of which should really have been greater.
One minute’s silence in memory of the ten people who lost their lives in the Creeslough tragedy was observed before international referee George Clancy got the match underway.
A strong crossfield breeze at kick-off time made conditions tricky for place-kickers and hookers throughout the game. Following a late tackle on McCormack, Buccs had the first scoring opportunity but Stephen Mannion’s 9th minute penalty which looked on target tailed just wide. Three minutes later it seemed like the Shannonsiders had unlocked the home defence when Mannion and Shane Layden linked in midfield and the latter’s grubber kick ahead was chased up by Saul O’Carroll. But a touch-judge deemed that the winger had knocked on when endeavouring to ground the ball when tackled by Richard Cassidy in the left corner.
However, Buccaneers early threats reaped reward just a couple of minutes later. Layden passed to O’Carroll wide on the left and the winger’s neat pass infield to Josh O’Connor split the home defence enabling O’Connor to speed away for a 14th minute try finished with aplomb and converted by Mannion.
Shortly afterwards play continued while Martin Staunton was receiving treatment and injury forced the splendid warrior off at the end of the opening quarter with Sam Illo entering the fray. With increasingly heavy showers now making the conditions even more trying, Highfield got a foothold in the contest. A number of penalties helped them progress down the left flank and they drove over the Buccs line for a try by Munster prop James French. James Taylor’s conversion levelled the scores after 29 minutes.
Five minutes later home lock Sean Garrett was yellow-carded as Buccs pressed forward. The resultant penalty was punted to a very promising position in the left corner but the lineout went awry and the visitors failed to add to their tally while the hosts were depleted, leaving the sides tied 7-7 at half-time.
Conditions deteriorated considerably during the third quarter with Buccs now having to deal with the difficult breeze and a deluge of rain in their faces. A Steveni Lombard rumble brought Buccs close to the home line and in the follow-up move McCormack looked like bursting over to score but the combination of the greasy ball and some stout defending denied the backrower just three minutes into the second half while a wicked bounce denied him later on. Shortly afterwards a clearcut offside helped the Rebels clear their lines but Buccaneers were now playing their best rugby and were dominating territory and possession.
Mannion was narrowly off-target with a 53rd minute penalty in the testing conditions but Buccs soon notched their second try. A long clearance to touch by Fallon got a deflection and Will Reilly fastened on to the ball following a rare untidy Buccs lineout. The replacement scrumhalf showed a clean pair of heels to scamper through five attempted tackles for a smartly taken 55th minute try which Mannion converted.
As Buccs continued to surge forward they earned a 63rd minute penalty which Mannion slotted over to push his side 17-7 ahead. With the rain abating Highfield rallied in the closing stages and the Pirates had to display their defensive qualities. Seven minutes from time the homesters forced a penalty which they punted to the left corner from where they got a promising maul going. The busy McCormack was sin-binned for slowing their progress illegally and the referee also awarded a penalty try to Highfield.
This tightened their arrears to just three points and set up a grandstand finish as they finally came alive. But Buccs defended heroically with commitment, discipline and organisation to hold on for a fully deserved 17-14 victory that elevates the midlanders to second place on the league table.
The winners were unfortunate more than once to not add to their try tally particularly following the change of ends but then rolled up their collective sleeves to protect their narrow advantage in a frantic finish to the contest.
BUCCANEERS:- S.Jennings; J.O’Connor, S.Layden, S.Mannion, S.O’Carroll; R.Fallon, F.Hopkins; M.Burke, S.Lombard, M.Staunton (captain ); R.Byrne, F.Galvin; S.O’Connell, D.Murray and O.McCormack. Replacements:- S.Illo (for Staunton, inj. 21 mins ), W.Reilly (for Hopkins, 52 mins ), D.Browne, C.McCann, T.Shine and O.Burgess.
Fashion Show a Runway Success!
The club’s fashion show, staged at Athlone’s Radisson Blu Hotel proved a hugely successful event. A full house enjoyed a wonderful array of fashion from all Athlone’s top stores with MC Mandy Maher and her catwalk team adding greatly to the occasion. A vast array of spot prizes was also on offer and the club greatly acknowledges the input of these sponsors and, of course, all the stores who provided fashion for the models.
The best dressed award, selected by stylist Kelly McDonnell, was won by Mary Carty and her prizes included a fascinator presented by Nicola Fogarty, flowers by A Room In Bloom, and a voucher from Med Aesthetics Galway.
The ‘runway’ success of this Fashion Show did not happen by pure chance. Here Buccaneers RFC is hugely indebted to the organising work put in by the two gorgeous Geraldine Kenny’s and their support team.
