Match Reports category listing 34 | Buccaneers Rugby Football Club Athlone

BUCCANEERS 24  OLD CRESCENT 12

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 14 BUCCANEERS 23

Buccaneers Womens team defeated Tuam 31-7 in a friendly at Dubarry Park on Friday night. Buccs utilised their full squad, including some guesting for the visitors, and tried various permutations in a mixed performance. Niamh Ni Dhroma was the classiest operator on view as she helped herself to two tries and three conversions. Aisling Kelleher also scored a brace of tries while Elaine Conlon completed the haul of five tries. Tuam scored a first half try as Buccs led 12-7 at the break 

Despite sustaining a 25-14 loss away to Dunmore in the Connacht Junior 1B League on Sunday, this was a much-improved effort by Buccaneers Development squad. Declan Byrne was the star performer here, capped by a super try, with Trevor Thompson also driving over for a try. Ger Fallon converted both scores. Dominic Griffith, Rory Byrne and Nigel Flynn were others to impress.

BUCCANEERS 17 BALLYNAHINCH 27

Buccaneers Womens team came away empty handed from Hamilton Park, Strandhill, on Sunday where Sligo defeated them 22-10 in the opening round of the Connacht Womens League. However, this was an immensely improved performance in comparison to when these teams met at the same venue in last season's league.

Sligo defeated Buccaneers 37-26 at Hamilton Park on Saturday and their bonus point victory earns them a play-off with holders Galwegians to decide the destination of this season's Connacht Senior League.

It was a case of men against boys in this opening fixture of the Connacht Junior 1B League when Buccaneers Development squad fielded a very young, light side against a much more physical and seasoned Castlebar at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday.

Galwegians took a major step towards retaining their Connacht Senior League title when they defeated Buccaneers 15-11 at Crowley Park, Glenina, on Saturday. Although having the lesser share of possession, they made better use of it to secure a decent confidence booster prior to the AIL. Buccs made most of the early running despite facing a strong breeze but landed just one of three penalties against the elements to lead 3-0 at the end of the opening quarter, Jack Carty being on target on 15 minutes. Wegians opened their account when Ronan Moore finished off their first meaningful attack for a 26th minute try which Tadhg Leader converted splendidly from the left touchline. The outhalf extended the home lead with a penalty seven minutes later. Buccs replied promptly with the best score of the match. Callum Boland caught a loose clearance on his own 22 and chipped ahead to link up with Carty who off-loaded to Kolo Kiripati and the Pirates skipper surged in for 35th minute try. But Wegians responded equally swiftly, Jarlath Naughton barrelling his way through for a try to give the hosts a 15-8 halftime lead. Carty narrowed the arrears with a 46th minute penalty but drizzle, which arrived midway through the opening half, meant that the breeze was not a factor to assist the midlanders as they chased the game. But Buccs can only blame themselves for this loss as they failed to impose their numerical and territorial superiority on the two occasions that Galwegians had players sin-binned. Ivan Muldoon was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on that prevented a certain try after 51 minutes while Brian McClearn also made the trip to the sin bin following a late tackle on 68 minutes. Wegians dug deep defensively while Buccs lacked leadership and creativity.

BUCCANEERS  made a winning start to the Connacht Senior League when they defeated Connemara 33-6 in the opening round at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Tuesday night. Both teams fielded depleted squads with Buccs lining out a very experimental, inexperienced outfit for their first action of the new season.