Rugby: Dungannon edge out Buccs

Dungannon 22 Buccaneers 19

David Humphreys' younger brother Ian kicked an injury-time penalty to give Dungannon a slender victory at Stevenson Park.

It was a nerve-wracking first kick at goal for the out-half, taking over the kicking duties from the injured Mark Bradley, but in true Humphreys style, he made no mistake.

Buccaneers out-half Colm Glynn kicked three early penalties and his tactical influence was already a key factor at this stage, his emphasis on keeping the ball alive and spreading the play central to the Connacht side's early dominance.

Humphreys hit back with a dropped goal, and Dungannon seized control with a 13th minute try, impressive centre Seamus Mallon making the telling break from deep to send Alistair Redpath in.

Two Mark Bradley penalties, one an excellent 50 metre effort, gave Dungannon a 19-9 half-time lead but Buccaneers were an inspired side after the break.

Glynn kicked another penalty, and midway through the half they produced a classic try.

Full back Justin Meagher cut loose on the left wing, linked cleverly with Ted Robinson, and he sent Chris Keane in to score, Glynn's conversion tying it up at 19 each.

Despite losing Paddy Johns to the sin bin for most of the final 15 minutes, Dungannon maintained territorial advantage, but it wasn't until the third minute of injury-time that they won the penalty from which Humphreys struck the winning points.

Glynn had a chance to tie it up again, but his penalty drifted wide and the AIL champions survived.