Buccaneers RFC 7 :: Sligo RFC 29
Sligo remain at the top of the Connacht Junior league Division 1 when they secured their first ever bonus point win over Athlone based side Buccaneers at Dubarry Park on Sunday.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPQyck4tR4
The visitors racked up 5 Trys against the physical midlands outfit, who challenged them all the way to the final whistle. Buccaneers won the toss and elected to play with the aid of the breeze. Paddy Pearson’s high kick off was keenly contested by the Sligo pack and this early pressure gave them a foothold in the home teams half. The work of the pack was rewarded after 4 minutes when the ball was moved left to right across the backline on the Bucc’s 22. Quick ruck ball was produced and scrum half Billy Leahy switched the play back towards the left touchline. Fast hands saw the ball transferred to winger Julian Rippon who outpaced the cover and scored in the corner. Jack Macklin’s well struck conversion effort was narrowly wide. A perfect start for the visitors. From the kick off Sligo again went on the attack, bringing their backline into play at every opportunity but their enterprise was not rewarded as the final pass let them down on a number of occasions.
With 20 minutes gone on the clock a fine kick down the line by Pearson was bundled into touch 5 yards from the try line. James Wilson collected the lineout and the Sligo pack drove towards the line, but the maul was held up and the turnover was awarded to Bucc’s. A big drive by Sligo’s front row of Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely and Jason East put pressure on the home scrum forcing a loose clearance kick which was collected by full back Jordan Farrington. Farrington moved the ball infield where the awaiting Andrew Feeney sped past the defence to score between the posts. Pearson added the extras to put his team 12 point ahead.
Bucc’s again went on the attack and were awarded a penalty on the Sligo 22 after 25 minutes but hooker Marcus Maddens attempted kick went wide of the uprights. Pearson kick a long drop out which bucc’s attempted to run back at Sligo but fine work by flankers Cathal Culhane and Peter Mullan engineered the turnover on halfway and Leahy quickly linked up with his backline. Farrington was released in space and he glided through the cover to dot down under the crossbar. Macklin converted to advance his team’s advantage to 19-0. Once again Bucc’s responded and on the stroke of half time were awarded a penalty in almost the same position as their previously unsuccessful effort. Maddens kick struck the right hand upright and bounced back into play. Number eight Trevor Sweeney collected and safely cleared to touch.
Sligo began the second half on the attack with the forwards driving into the Bucc’s defence creating space for the backline to attack. Their strong play was rewarded after 10 minutes when an overthrown home lineout was stolen by Cathal Culhane who drove infield before linking up with prop forward Adrian Mc Hale. Mc Hale carried on the charge to set up Leahy to release the backline. Pearson fed Farrington who darted through a gap before brilliantly off-loading inside to Rippon who raced to the corner for the bonus point score. Macklin was narrowly wide with a well struck conversion effort.
Sligo’s fifth try came with 15 minutes left on the clock. James Wilson superbly stole the Bucc’s throw in and moved the ball to Trevor Sweeney who drove forward before linking up with powerful Second Row Jamie Bowes. Bowes broke through a number of would be tacklers before diving over for a well deserved unconverted score. Bucc’s were stung into action and with 10 minutes left on the clock scored their only try. A penalty awarded 10 yards from the visitors line was tapped and driven by the midlanders pack the ball was recycled and powerful No 8 Adrian Hughes crashed over near the posts. Reserve winger Cormac Sheehy kicked the conversion to give a final score of 7-29 in favour of the north westerners.
Sligo’s junior league campaign continue next Sunday when they travel to Westport to take on the Westport bulls. Westport always provide a stern challenge, particularly at home, and will need to be at the top of their game to overcome the Mayo based outfit. Kick-off at Carrowholly is at 3 o clock.
Sligo. Jordan Farrington, Julian Rippon, Jack Macklin, Gavin Foley, Andrew Feeney, Paddy Pearson, Billy Leahy, Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely, Jason East, James Wilson, Jamie Bowes, Peter Mullan, Cathal Culhane, Trevor Sweeney. Replacements, Martin Feeney for Adrian Mc Hale, Ross Mannion for Jamie Bowes, Ted Mulvaney for Julian Rippon.
Buccaneers. Michael O Donoghue, Darren Costello, Declan Byrne, James O Connell, John O Shaughnessey, Terry Hynes, Brian Lennon, Greg Mc Gill, Marcus Madden, Benny Gilligan, Brendan mc Manus, Mark Coleman, David Downey, Colin Waters, Adrian Hughes. Replacements Darragh Lennon, Alan Hynes, Cormac Sheehy.
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