Mens Firsts 14 – Buccaneers 23

Galwegians got their Connacht Senior League campaign up and running when they were beaten by rivals Buccaneers at Crowley Park on Saturday. In a game played in near perfect dry conditions but with a strong breeze blowing down from the clubhouse, the visitors got off to the perfect start with a second minute unconverted try.

Following an excellent penalty to the corner, secure line out ball saw them drive over with Ryan O'Meara claiming the touchdown giving them a five nil lead.

The Blues had a chance to put some early points on the board, but full back Darragh Kennedy was narrowly off target with a long-range effort shortly afterwards. Despite having a strong breeze at their backs, the hosts were unable to make the elements count. Buccs looked the more likely to score, and just after the opening quarter they doubled their lead.

Following another penalty deep into the 22, secure lineout ball saw it spun out and wily centre Shane Leyden sold a neat dummy to dot down midway between the sticks and the touchline. Captain Stephen Mannion's second conversion attempt came back off the upright to leave the visitors 10-0 ahead.

This sparked the hosts into life and they finally got their game going. They responded with an instant sustained attack, which led to a tap penalty under the sticks.

Newly appointed captain Jack Winters then barrelled over for the first try of the season, and Kennedy's simple conversion reduced the margin to 10-7.

Former Wegian, centre Mark Earle was soon binned for the visitors, one of two former blues now playing with Buccs, the other being Connor O'Shaughnessy.

However, the Blues were unable to take advantage and this is how it stayed at half time.

The second half started disastrously for the hosts when straight after the restart, our newly signed forward Rob Holian was sent off following a high tackle, the first victim of the new laws in operation this season.

The visitors took full advantage and on 47 minutes they scored a third try following another line out maul, with hooker Dylan Bolger claiming the touchdown in the right corner.

15-7 behind and a man down against the wind, the odds looked slim for Wegians at this point. However, the remainder of the game saw them produce their best rugby. They got right back into the game with a really well worked score on the hour mark when scrum-half Andrew Sherlock finished superbly by diving over on the left. Out half Patrick Nash then landed a stunning conversion into the stiff breeze from the touchline to leave just a single point between them.

However, discipline cost the hosts once more, when prominent flanker Dylan Keane was binned straight from the restart for a deliberate knock-on.

Buccs wasted little time in using their two-man advantage and on 67 minutes an overlap created the chance for Mannion to score in the left corner.

Although he was off target again with the difficult conversion, the visitors comfortably saw out the remainder of the game with their powerful pack earning a succession of late penalties at scrum time.

The final act saw Mannion land his first successful kick with a penalty on the 22 to ensure victory and deny Wegians a bonus point.

There were some positive signs for the Blues who competed very well at lineout time and played much of the game against the odds . However the inevitable  early-season rustiness and the smooth integration of new players will be a key focus for the remainder of the campaign.

Next up sees the Blues host Sligo this Saturday, September 2nd, also at Crowley Park 2:30 PM.