U-18.5s CAPTURE CONNACHT LEAGUE TITLE – Buccaneers R.F.C

U-18.5s WIN CONNACHT LEAGUE TITLE

GALWAY BAY 28 BUCCANEERS 33

Buccaneers U-18.5 squad had a crucial 33-28 win against Galway Bay RFC at Dangan on the banks of the Corrib river in Galway on Sunday afternoon to win the Connacht League title.

The game ebbed and flowed like the March weather which saw driving hailstones and sunshine coming and going throughout the game. Despite playing into a strong wind in the first half Buccaneers found themselves 26-7 up shortly after the break. A strong Galway Bay squad fought hard to get back into the game and ran in a try with minutes remaining to go ahead by two points 28-26.

Buccs worked through the phases and into Galway Bay’s half with less than two minutes to go and were awarded a penalty at the breakdown. The wind died down just at the wrong moment and the Buccs outhalf’s adjusted kick came back off the post. Galway gathered the ball but were driven over their own line. In the last play of the game Buccaneers went through the phases to work the ball towards the centre of the pitch and the Galway Bay try line, diving over to ground the ball. The resulting conversion won the game 28-33 and also the league title by two points on the back of a fine contribution by all squad members.

This remarkable group of young men have won consecutive league and cup titles for the last 4 years, and with this league triumph making it five seasons in succession to win silverware. Buccs will look forward to their Cup campaign with a quarter final at home on the weekend of 22nd of March.

BUCCANEERS:- P.Finnan; E.Dunning, E.Coyle, S.Nugent, S.Duffy; R.Dolan, H.McGowan; K.Blessing, D.Dullea, D.Cleary; E.O’Sullivan, T.Coleman; R.Fallon, P.Bourke and K.Byrne. Replacements:- L.Leshona, D.Glennon, O.Egan, O.O’Donoghue, P.O’Sullivan, C.Hudson, R.Colleran and C.West (captain).