Buccaneers Seconds 17
Westport 12
Buccaneers Seconds overcame Westport 17-12 in a hard-fought Connacht Junior 1A League game contested in difficult conditions at Dubarry Park last Sunday.
A heavy side pitch and murky weather did not suit the slighter home squad but their eager and more enterprising play was rewarded with a richly deserved victory that moves them up to third place in the league table.
Buccs fielded a mainly youthful side for this encounter and they were the far more eager outfit for large swathes of the contest against a much taller visiting team that had a substantial size advantage. Thus, a match of contrasting styles unfolded in which Buccs were quickest out of the blocks.
Buccs enjoyed a lengthy period in the visiting half before opening the scoring with a 13th minute Conor Seery penalty. Eight minutes later they stretched their advantage to 10-0 following further enterprising endeavour. Rossa Dooley finished off good work with a try wide on the left and Seery added an excellent touchline conversion.
The half hour mark was reached before Port made any real threat, Eoin Tobin’s break and then his crossfield kick causing uncertainty in the home ranks. The Mayo men bulldozed their way over for an unconverted try wide on the left by Johnny Hooker after 32 minutes to leave them trailing 10-5 at half-time.
Buccaneers rejigged their forces for the second half and were swiftly back in the ascendancy. A sweeping move with good handling and quick support play yielded an excellent Seery 44th minute try at the posts. He duly added the conversion to push the Pirates 17-5 ahead.
Within five minutes Westport were back in the hunt when they made their bulk pay to deliver a Tom Geraghty try, which Jack Hanley converted. Buccs then bravely withstood a spell of pressure before regaining their grip on the proceedings to earn a truly merited win.
No. 8 Dooley was their outstanding performer in what was a strong showing by the pack, in which James Foley and Rory Grenham also did well. Seery was the top back on show, with notable support from busy duo Eoin O’Reilly and Dean McMahon.
