BUCCANEERS 47 BALLINA 7
A splendid first half showing by Buccaneers Thirds in their opening Connacht Junior 2 League game paved the way for a comprehensive 47-7 victory over Ballina at Dubarry Park on Sunday. Buccs made a lightening start with David Dunning driving through for their first try straight from the kick off. Then two tries in quick succession killed this game as a contest. Following some good passing, Patta Rikadze sent Keith Grehan scampering in for a try and more or less from the restart Jack Keegan was dotting down at the posts for try number three. A fine run by Joe Bonnar was instrumental in Nicky Purcell ensuring a home bonus point while Mark Tormey finished off good work for a try before the break. Keegan landed four conversions while Ballina’s solitary try emanated when a bad bounce wrong-footed the diminutive Bonnar to leave Buccs comfortably ahead 33-7 at halftime.
The opening thirty-five minutes of the second half was turgid stuff before two phases of magic both involving Sean Flynn yielded a pair of home tries in the closing five minutes. Flynn kicked ahead and chased up to turnover possession and several swift hands later Stephen Warren was touching down for a try. Flynn made it seventh heaven for Buccs when his deceptive pace down the left flank earned his side’s seventh try. Keegan converted both tries to complete the 47-7 winning margin. Flynn was man of the match while Grehan, Keegan, Rikadze and Dunning also played well as Buccs Thirds got their season off to a winning start and ensured a clean sweep of victories for all Buccs adult teams at the weekend.
BUCCANEERS:- K.O’Neill; D.Smith, M.Tormey, S.Flynn, J.Bonnar; J.Keegan, N.Purcell; P.Rikadze, K.Grehan, T.Thompson; D.Dunning, G.Kenny; G.Glynn (captain), N.Flynn and S.Byrne. Replacements used:- A.Daly (for Rikadze), S.Warren (for Bonnar), R.Silke (for O’Neill) and L.Aadic (for Smith).
