The Ireland and Scotland teams served up a highly entertaining Clubs International contest with the home nation edging the decision 26-23 in a thrilling finish at Dubarry Park. There was a decent attendance at the Athlone venue despite the bitterly cold night and little or no promotion in the national media for this fixture. The hardy spectators were well rewarded with a lively and committed affair from start to finish.
BUCCANEERS travel to College Park, Dublin, where they square up to Dublin University in an Ulster Bank League match in which both clubs will be desperately seeking victory on Saturday. This basement battle kicks off at 2.30 p.m. and total commitment will be anticipated from start to finish as the teams scrap for the win that could prove so vital to their survival prospects in Division 1A.
Despite putting in a brave and sustained effort, Buccaneers just could not hold on for a priceless Ulster Bank League Division 1A win when they were overhauled by Terenure College in an intense battle at Dubarry Park on Saturday. The spirited Pirates were exhilarating in the opening half hour but their depleted squad could not maintain their exciting attacking play against more seasoned opponents who slowly but surely reeled in a 20-3 halftime deficit to edge an absorbing contest 24-20.
After a disciplined opening, a poor mid section of their Ulster Bank League Division 1A game away to University College Dublin cost Buccaneers dearly as they gave themselves too much to do when going down 17-14 at the Belfield Bowl on Saturday. This was an eminently winnable game for Buccs and they will be massively disappointed not only with this latest defeat but more keenly the manner of it. The midlanders made too many errors and struggled at the setpieces in a performance that fell below expectations.
The stop-start Ulster Bank League Division 1A resumes on Saturday when Buccaneers head to the capital to tackle University College Dublin at Belfield where the action gets under way at 2.30 p.m. Buccs first AIL win this season came at home to the Students on a 19-13 margin when a passionate and sustained effort gained due reward for the Pirates. They will have to be equally committed and disciplined if they are to stretch their winning sequence against UCD to four victories in a row, the Athlone side having completed a double over College in 1B five seasons ago when the clubs were last in the same division.
BUCCANEERS SECONDS made a tame exit from the Connacht Junior Cup when going down 51-17 to Castlebar at wet and windy Cloondeash on Sunday. Buccs made seven changes from their most recent outing which was over a month ago and, consequently, their play was disjointed and disorganised. The hosts, meanwhile, had a sturdy pack that they made good use of as well as utilising their rolling substitutions to telling effect.
BUCCANEERS came away empty handed from Temple Hill, Cork, where they suffered a 26-0 Ulster Bank League Division 1A defeat at the hands of Cork Constitution on Saturday. While the defending champions were worthy winners, the midlanders contributed to their own downfall with errors helping the hosts to three of their tries.
The Buccaneers President’s XV denied Exiles making it three in-a-row successes when they proved convincing 29-12 victors in the traditional St. Stephen’s Day fixture at Dubarry Park, Athlone. Back-boned by a quartet of Byrnes, the President’s men took the game to the holders from the off. Played in cold but otherwise ideal conditions, the winners were the better outfit for the majority of what was a lively and open affair. Among the interested spectators were South African duo Dylan Rogers and Gavin Schoeman who both played with Buccaneers. Rogers is now a Hong Kong international while Schoeman is one of Buccs most respected forwards.
