Womens | Buccaneers Rugby Club Athlone

BUCCANEERS WOMENS TEAM continued their marvellous winning sequence with a hard-earned 17-11 Leinster Womens Cup victory over Garda at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon. This was a very competitive affair and Buccs showed wonderful resolve and greater fitness to come out on top after a typically fervent Cup tie.

Garda were quicker to settle, helped by an early penalty. Buccs, meanwhile, missing some key personnel including Elaine Conlon, Sinead Taylor, Colette McSpadden and Tracey Finnerty, took time to get to grips with the visitors who went 8-0 ahead following a 19th minute try. Emma Traynor kick started the Buccettes comeback with a 24th minute penalty that completed the scoring in an edgy first half. Buccs began to force the pace as the second period progressed and, just on the hour mark, Niamh Ni Dhroma made a typically searing break for a try at the posts which Traynor converted. Conlon entered the fray for the final quarter in place of the ubiquitous Myriam Borque-Cascajo who sustained an injury in her relentless endeavours to turn the tide. Emer Phelan was now thundering into the contest although playing out of position at No.8 and, shortly afterwards, Traynor outwitted the Garda cover to carve a try at the posts which she also converted. Garda battled on but had to settle for a late penalty.

Borque-Cascajo, Phelan, Ann Marie Sleator and Natasha Egan excelled in a tough forwards contest while Traynor, Ni Dhroma and Niamh Gough all caught the eye in the backline as Buccs forged a merited victory.

BUCCANEERS:- N.Ni Dhroma; A.Kemmy, Y.O’Shea, A.Kelleher, N.Gough; E.Traynor, S.Hynds; L.Stuart-Trainor, M.Kiripati (captain), A.M.Sleator; C.Moore, N.Egan; S.O’Shea, M.Borque-Cascajo and E.Phelan. Replacement:- E.Conlon (for Borque-Cascajo, inj.). REFEREE:- Padraig McGowan (Connacht).

BUCCANEERS 22  NUIG 0

BUCCANEERS WOMENS team qualified for the final of the Connacht League when they defeated N.U.I.Galway 22-0 at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Friday night. The Buccs ladies were good value for this victory over dogged opponents (who included Aoife Ni Corry in their lineout) who should have had some reward on the scoreboard for their endeavours.

Buccs set the tempo from the start on a cold night and testing underfoot conditions. Emma Traynor made an early breakthrough for the opening try. Sinead Taylor scored the second try following a trademark charge through the visitors’ ranks and her conversion gave Buccs a 12-0 halftime lead. The Students were much more urgent on the change of ends and the third quarter was very competitive with Aislinn Kelleher incurring a yellow card for a wild tackle. Nevertheless, it was the Buccettes who scored next with Taylor making another powerful break on the hour mark for a vital try. Natasha Egan completed the scoring with a try following further good work by the forwards.

Taylor was the star of this win with Traynor also shining in the backline. Mele Kiripati, Elaine Conlon and Emer Phelan were the dominant forces in a physical forwards contest.

FOOTNOTE:- This Buccaneers team qualified for the League semi-final last November and have had no competitive fixtures since. To get matches, they have entered a Leinster Cup competition with their first fixture on Sunday, February 17^th. Lo and behold, they are then advised at very short notice by Connacht on Wednesday 13^th that the league semi-final must be played by the 17^th! This observer cannot understand how or why the semi-final could not have been scheduled in somewhere during the blank two-months period of December/January!

BUCCANEERS:-  N.Ni Dhroma; A.Kelleher, S.Taylor, C.McSpadden, N.Gough; E.Traynor, S.Hynds; L.Stuart-Trainor, M.Kiripati (captain), A.M.Sleator; N.Egan, E.Phelan; S.O’Shea, M.Borque-Cascajo and E.Conlon. Replacements used:- C.Moore, C.Mannion, A.Taaffe and M.Devaney.

CLONDALKIN 0  BUCCANEERS 32

Making just one change to their starting lineout (Sinead O’Shea in for Christine Mannion), Buccaneers Womens team made a splendid start to their inaugural Leinster Cup campaign with a terrific 32-0 victory away to Clondalkin on Sunday.

Emer Phelan, Aislinn Kelleher, Sinead Taylor and Myriam Borque-Coscajo all dotted down for tries. Emma Traynor converted two and also landed a pair of penalties with Taylor adding one conversion. Elaine Conlon was outstanding in this tie and received best support from Taylor and Phelan in a good all-round team performance. The Buccettes are to be lauded for not only playing two games in three days but winning both comfortably. Some males around the club could do well with imitating the enthusiasm and organisation of these ladies!  

BUCCANEERS 18 SLIGO 7

BUCCANEERS WOMENS team put in a tremendous display when defeating champions Sligo 18-7 in their Connacht Womens League clash at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday. Weather conditions were foul but the Buccs girls lit up the afternoon with a hugely impressive squad effort that deserved an even more clearcut winning margin.
The ‘Buccettes’ hit the ground running in this joust with their arch rivals and they were utterly dominant from start to finish. The only blot on their performance was a lack of clinical finishing as they squandered many good opportunities, albeit the greasy conditions did not help their cause. Consequently, with the scoreline not truly reflecting the territory and possession enjoyed by the hosts, there was always the danger that Sligo’s swift backs could get a break or two similar to their solitary try which kept them in contention until Buccs eventually nabbed their second try.
Buccs forced the pace all the way from the first whistle and their pressure had Sligo in difficulty regularly before they grabbed the opening score on 17 minutes. Then the effervescent Myriam Borque Coscajo charged down a hurried clearance to swoop for a try in weather that the Spanish girl is surely not accustomed to! Emma Phelan drilled over the conversion and Buccs piled on concerted pressure for a period that should have yielded another try or two but all they had to show for their superiority was a fine Phelan penalty that put the Athlone girls 10-0 ahead after 31 minutes.
Three minutes later, totally against the run of play, Sligo’s Rachel Gordon scampered away for a try that Amy Geraghty converted to leave the margin much tighter 10-7 at halftime. Buccs continued to dictate on the resumption and the visitors’ fullback was sin-binned when she tackled Phelan as the home outhalf chased her own kick ahead. A penalty try could have ensued but Buccs extended their advantage with Phelan’s penalty kick after 53 minutes. Sligo dug deep when numerically disadvantaged to keep the score at 13-7 but they were undone yet again at scrumtime when Buccs turned over possession and the formidable Sinead Taylor powered through for an excellent 72nd minute try that sealed a thoroughly deserved 18-7 victory.
This was a terrific team effort by Buccaneers who were missing their chief scorer Niamh Ni Dhroma, who was on duty with Connacht. Congrats to Niamh! But there is better balance and more options in their squad now, and in Taylor and Phelan they have unearthed a couple of gems. Anne Marie Sleator had a sterling showing while Borque Coscajo, Sharon Hynds and Niamh Gough also did well.
BUCCANEERS:- M.Devaney; Y.O’Shea, A.Kelleher, S.Taylor, N.Gough; E.Phelan, S.Hynds; T.Finnerty, M.Kiripati (captain), A.M.Sleator; C.Moore, N.Egan; M.Borque Coscajo, C.Mannion & E.Conlon. Replacements:- D.Coghill (for Mannion, h/t) and C.Mannion (for Devaney, inj. 44 mins).
REFEREE:- Noel Crowley (Connacht).

In bitter wet and windy conditions at Leitrim village, Buccaneers made much better use of their possession to defeat Carrick-On-Shannon 24-0 in a well-contested Connacht Womens League tie on Sunday. In a tough mainly forwards battle, the ‘Buccettes’ had far more firepower in their finishing than a committed home outfit that battled to the bitter end in a tussle that was closer than the final margin indicates.

Good play by the Buccs pack laid the foundation for a brace of tries by Christine Mannion, operating in a new role at wing-forward. The backs got in on the try-scoring process before halftime, fine interplay leading to a try at the posts by Emma Treanor. She added the conversion for a healthy 17-0 lead at the welcome break. Scores were much harder come by in the second period and it was very late in the game before Buccs notched a fourth try to secure a bonus point. Exciting young Spaniard Myriam Borque Coscajo was still alert near the end to snatch an intercept try which Niamh Ni Dhroma converted to complete the 24-0 scoreline.

Mannion revelled in new flanker role and Elaine Conlon was the other standout in the pack. Treanor did well entrusted with the vital standoff role while Ni Dhroma was again a constant menace to the hosts.

BUCCANEERS:-  M.Devaney; A.Kelleher, N.Ni Dhroma, N.Gough; E.Treanor, S.Hynds; M.Borque Coscajo, L.Stuart-Trainor, T.Finnerty; N.Egan, E.Pillion; S.O’Shea, C.Mannion and E.Conlon. Replacements used:- C.Moore and D.Coghill.

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 

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.

Buccs have improved immeasurably since then and matched champions Sligo in most facets of the game for long periods. They did well with the new challenge of scrums this term and fitness levels were very good too. However, the midlanders need some further work on technique and concentration. Some missed tackles and a yellow card cost them dearly against an enterprising Sligo squad.

Catherine Moore grabbed both Buccs tries, one in each half. Mele Kiripati, Niamh Ni Dhroma and Colette McSpadden did well with Natasha Egan, Emer Phelan, Sharon Hynds and Mairead Devaney all catching the eye on occasion. An expanded squad including young Spaniard Myriam Borque Cascago augurs well for a spirited Buccaneers this year.    

WOMENS CONNACHT LEAGUE FIXTURES

Sep. 23       Sligo                     (a)         lost 22-10

Sep. 28      Tuam                     (h)        won 31-7

Oct. 14       NUIG                      (a)        won 10-5

Oct. 21      Carrick-on-Shannon  (h)        won 17-5

Nov. 11      Tuam                      (a)

Nov. 18      Carrick-on-Shannon  (a)

Dec. 2        Sligo                       (h)

Dec. 16      NUIG                       (h)

The Ladies Volunteers met last Thursday night. Thanks to all who attended and to those who text apologies etc. Regina Bushell is heading up the Ladies committee this season.

Our first home match is Saturday 29th September Buccs v Ballynahinch KO 2.30pm (theme Family Day). Teresa Kiely and Jean Dolan will be heading up this pre match. Geraldine will be sending out texts as usual prior to game.

We will be sending out a letter/newsletter early next week with details of pre match for the season. There will be only 5 club pre matches and 2 U20s Internationals 2012/2013 Season.

Dates for your diary (details to follow)

Ladies Christmas Party
Friday 7th December 2012

Ladies Day pre match – dress to impress!!
Saturday 23rd February – Buccs v Malone KO 7.00

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