After going down to local rivals Ballina a fortnight ago, the brave bulls from Westport got back to winning ways last weekend and moved back to the top of the table in division 1A of the Connacht Junior League with a comprehensive 23-7 win over Galwegians in Carrowholly. The victory was the Bulls' fifth in eight outings this season and sent them three points clear at the top of the table. However they could slip back into second place in the standings this weekend if Wegians, as expected, see off a Buccaneers side who have registered just one win from their six games so far this season, with Westport having the weekend off.
Westport's win last weekend came thanks to a fantastic 18 point haul from Seán Tobin, who scored a try and chipped in with two conversions and three penalties over the 80 minutes with Kevin Corcoran touching down for a try also. Westport had trailed by 7-3 at the break but a fantastic final 40 minutes where they put up 20 points without reply sealed the win and sent them back to the top of the table.
Ballina backed up their win over Westport in the previous round with an 11 point victory over Ballinasloe in Heffernan Park that moved them into third place in the table ahead of the east Galway outfit. The north Mayo men's victory came thanks to late tries from Kieran Rouse and Conor Mason after the sides had been locked at 3-3 each at the turnaround, with Ballinasloe going into a 6-3 lead early in the second half, but over the closing half an hour Ballina outscored their guests 14-0 with Darragh Whyte converting the tries by Rouse and Mason to seal the win.
This Sunday, Ballina will hit the road to face a Monivea side who have just three wins from their eight outings this season and a win for Ballina will cement their place in the title chasing pack that includes Westport, Galwegians, and Ballinasloe.
Castlebar take derby day spoils
In division 1B of the Connacht Junior League it was Castlebar who took the spoils with a 24-7 win over Ballyhaunis in Cloondeash. The county town outfit crossed the whitewash four times with Luke Staunton, Nigel Byrne, Simon Staunton, and Colm Heaney all touching down for five pointers. That win saw Castlebar maintain their top four status and keep up their hopes of making an impact at the top of the table over the rest of the season. This weekend Castlebar are on the road where they will face table toppers Creggs who are four points ahead of Castlebar, a win would be a huge momentum maker for the visitors as it would close the gap at the top of the table and they also still have a game in hand on Creggs. As for Ballyhaunis they will follow up their trip to Castlebar with home game against the students from NUIG on Saturday night. Ballyhaunis have struggled this year, with only two wins from their nine outings so far and back in September NUIG put 40 points on the east Mayo men when they visited Galway for the return fixture.
South Mayo derby on Sunday in 1C
Ballinrobe did their scoring difference and bonus point tally no harm at all when they put 78 points up on the board against Galwegians last weekend in the third tier of Connacht Junior Rugby. Ballinrobe won the game 78-3 scoring 12 tries in the process with Tom Lynagh, Tom Staunton, Seán Mullin, and Stephen Bowe all touching down for two tries each in their win. This weekend Ballinrobe will wrap up their league season with a home game against fellow south Mayo men Claremorris who have just one win from their four games so far this season.
