Thirds 7 – Buccaneers 7

The Thirds ground out a draw last Sunday afternoon in Dubarry Park; this result looks to have finished Wegians run in the J2 league, with only a favour by Ballinasloe against bucks next weekend offering the slimmest of chances of another game for the thirds. The score line may suggest a boring game but this was not the case as the referee, true to his word, let the game flow and some very entertaining rugby resulted.

Bucks had the honour of kick off and Jamie O’Connor returned the ball with interest while having it securely tucked under his arm. Possession changed hands a few times before Bucks made the breakthrough when their back line scored in the corner after 10 minutes. Their out half converted from the touchline and brought the score to 7-0.

Wegians kept the heads up and with some strong running from Simon Crawford and Colin McGovern, brought the play to the bucks 5M line. Quick thinking by Nick Hurtault, picking and diving over the ruck, resulted in a try which was converted by Eoin O’Mahony.

Wegians needed to win by 8 in order to knock Bucks out of the league but they were unable to break down a quality defensive line in the second half, and in the end had to settle for a draw. It was a much improved performance on last weekend’s game and the thirds will only want to build from it and put the first point on the board for Wegians in the Glynn Cup on St. Patrick’s Day.

Man of the match: Super games from Niall in the back row and Connor at scrum half but Hugh McFadden stood out from the crowd with his work rate and lineout display which made him man of the match.