March 22nd, 2008

Buccaneers Under 13 ’ s advanced to the semi-finals of the Connaught Cup after winning a brilliant, bruising, physical battle against Westport. The team travelled to their opponents’ turf for the second time this year, but this time came out on top with a final score of just 3 points to nil.

Westport seemed to have the upper hand in the first half, keeping the ball in Buccaneers territory for most of the play. But Bucs strong defence did not concede any points, with solid set piece work, notably in the scrums and line-outs. The backs could not make any big breaks, but they did make big tackles, especially Galvin, Hughes, McInerney and Dempsey. Bucs seemed to make their best ground when grinding out yards from the breakdown, led by Gormley and Hennessey. Cooper was forced out of play early on when he sustained a back injury at the bottom of a ruck, and Finneran came on as his replacement. Westport managed to gradually drive the ball down to Bucs’ 5 metre line, after many changeovers of possession. Bucs kept their composure and won a scrum put-in. Westport clawed the ball back, still deep in Bucs territory, but they knocked it on giving Bucs another scrum put-in. Bucs’ number 8 James Flynn and scrumhalf Robert Ashe worked well together in moving the ball from scrums and making yards, eventually leading play back towards mid-field. Bucs made ground patiently, with small gains by McArdle, Campbell and Finneran. Lynam, O’Meara and Fagan played well in support.

Bucs were technically better grounded on the day. Westport battled with more intensity for possession at every breakdown of play, but they made mistakes and were penalized for hands on the ground, offsides, and coming over the top. Ashe capitalized on these mistakes with great kicking for touch and by taking smart options. Bucs’ best offensive assault in the first half came from a great penalty kick into touch by Ashe down to Westport’s corner. But Bucs were then penalized, and Westport had a good clearance kick. Westport then ran the ball up to midfield, and Dempsey made a last ditch, try-saving tackle to end the half, scoreless.

Westport had a great kick-off down into Bucs’ 25 metre zone. Then they won a scrum put-in, but Bucs’ hooker Fagan stole the ball in the scrum. Bucs started a drive up field effectively using rolling mauls to gain ground. Then Hennessey made a strong run down to Westport’s 10 metre line, and the forwards continued recycling the ball down into scoring position. But Westport drove the ball carrier out of touch and made a good clearance kick to get of trouble. Bucs pressed again, with good drives by Gormley and Hennessey, and another rolling maul to get back inside Westport’s 25 metre zone. Gormley, O’Meara and Fagan combined to drive the ball to 10 metres from the try line. Then Westport came over the top of the ruck and were penalized. Ashe chose to take the penalty kick and sent the ball through the uprights for the game’s only score, Bucs 3 to Westport nil.

Westport’s ensuing kick-off went deep again, but they were called offside. They pressed hard and regained possession. Bucs stepped up their defence with great tackling, especially by Ashe, McArdle, Flynn and McInerney. Possession turned over several times around midfield, before Westport created another strong drive deep into Bucs territory. Fortunately, Finneran drove his man into touch at the 5 metre line, but was injured in the process. Barry Goode came on as replacement and threw himself into the defence. Bucs pushed Westport back, but they grabbed possession again and looked certain to run the ball in. Dempsey made a signature, come from behind, try-saving tackle! Westport desperately drove towards the try line with time running out. Again, they appeared to cross the try line, but O’Meara held the ball carrier up, and the referee called a 5 metre scrum. This last attempt to score saw a desperate scramble for the ball from the scrum, with Campbell fighting for the ball with his counterpart in the middle of a mass of players. Westport were unable to wrest the ball away from the determined Bucs forwards. Finally, the referee signalled the end of the game, and Buccaneers and their supporters burst into celebration for the win.

TEAM: John O ’ Meara, Padraig Fagan, Ted Campbell, Peadar Hennessey, John Gormley, Daniel Lynam, Brian Cooper, James Flynn, Robert Ashe, Mark McArdle, Harry Hughes, Evan Galvin, Thomas Finnerty, Niall McInerney, Sean Dempsey, Niall Finneran, Barry Goode, John Oakman, Sean Doyle, Connor Fallon, Darren Blackweir, Steven McVeigh, Terrence Hynes, Emmet Brown, and Connor McGrath. (M. O'Meara)