BUCCANEERS 24 OLD CRESCENT 12
BUCCANEERS 24 OLD CRESCENT 12
BUCCANEERS U-21s kicked off their South-West Conference League with a 24-12 victory over Old Crescent in their Section A match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. Bearing in mind that this Buccs squad had only one friendly game and limited preparations for this encounter, it was a decent result especially as the young Pirates snaffled four tries to claim a bonus point as well.
Nerves were quickly settled when Tim Clifford snatched an early breakaway try. Ben Carty added a second midway through the half after Aidan Connaughton had made good ground to set up the chance. Old Crescent replied with a pair of penalties to leave the game finely balanced at halftime when Buccs led 10-6. The impressive Connaughton got on the scoresheet when he touched down following a lineout move while a fine backline moved yielded a try under the posts by Rossa Taylor. Clifford converted both second half tries while the Limerick outfit scored a brace of penalties in the second half too.
Debutant Taylor impressed at fullback and Carty showed well in the centre. Connaughton caught the eye throughout while lock Josh O’Rourke had a terrific input in the second row. Buccs dominated the set-pieces and were the more expansive side throughout, but concentration needs to be maintained for the full 80 minutes.
BUCCANEERS:- R.Taylor; G.Costello, B.Carty, B.Sheridan, R.O’Reilly; T.Clifford, R.Corcoran; B.Teape, S.Flanagan, J.Walsh; J.O’Rourke, J.Dooley; A.Connaughton (captain), R.Enraght-Moony and J.Donoghue.
