Buccs get first win of the season

Buccaneers 26 Ballymena 13

Buccaneers out-scored Ballymena by two tries to one to chalk up their first win of the AIB League season at Dubarry Park.

New coach Geoff Moylan was left celebrating as first-half tries from David McGowan and Mark Bruce helped the Pirates to a 26-13 success.

The crucial blows were struck in a three-minute spell just before half-time.

Ireland Under-19 lock McGowan, who was making his league debut, was rumbled over in the right corner on 32 minutes from a pack drive.

Then classy signing Bruce, who is an Ireland Sevens international, split the Braidmen's cover on a 30-metre dart to touch down.

Tommy Cregan converted both efforts, adding to his two earlier penalties, for a 20-6 half-time buffer.

Ballymena had no answer to Buccs' attack - Dirkie Strydom slotted two penalties in the first half and converted prop Simon Shawe's 67th-minute try - his second of the league campaign - after a quick tap.

Cregan kicked two second-half penalties to ease Buccs to victory.