Galwegians remain in pole position in division 1b after a 12-6 vicotry over Connach rivals Buccaneers on Friday night at Crowley Park.
Despite the narrow margin of victory, Galwegians were the superior outfit on the night, and but for some poor finishing, they should have secured a more emphatic victory.
Both sides had early chances with Buccs’ outhalf Callum Boland and his Wegian counterpart Aidan Moynihan missing penalties. However the visitors drew first blood when centre Alan Gaughan landed an excellent penalty from the left touchline.
Wegians, superior up front, failed to convert possession and territory into points. Pinged regularly by referee Gary Conway at the breakdown, it did not get any better when Moynihan missed a second penalty attempt an d captain Ja Naughton was binned for killing the ball. Gaughan added a penalty for a 6-0 lead at half time.
Playing with the breeze, Wegians once again took control and eventually took advantage when Buccs’ winger Billy Henshaw was binned for taking out scrumhalf Caolin Blade in the air. From a penalty to touch, Blade supplied inrushing centre Rory Parata who burst through the cover to score, and Moynihan added the conversion to put the home side 7-6 in front.
Two minutes later the clinching second score arrived, after Buccs’ full back Shane Leyden was binned for a deliberate knock on to prevent what seemed a certain score. Tghis time it was substitute Gary O’Brien who dived over from the drive.
Wegians’ dominance up front saw them comfortably hold out as they kept their opponents pinned deep inside their 22 for the remainder of the game.
Galwegians: J Cleary; M Dever, B Murphy, R Parata, J Harrimate; A Moynihan, C Blade; J Naughton (c ), C Gavin, D.McHugh; M Cummins, A Ryan; J Pimm, P Hackett, M Towey. Replacements: B Lee, G O’Brien, P Finn, P O’Donnell, C Kyne.
