Late try seals win for Blackrock

Blackrock College 21 Buccaneers 16

Former Buccaneers under-21 Peter Byrne returned to haunt his former club as his late try sent Blackrock College on the way to a win at Stradbrook.

Despite having the lion’s share of possession in the second half, Buccaneers failed to score in the second 40 and were left kicking themselves when scrum half Byrne went in for a 56th-minute try.

A scoring blitz saw the sides swap 20 points in the opening eight minutes. ‘Rock fly-half Paddy O’Toole swapped a penalty with Buccs full-back Tom Cregan before Leinster winger Gary Brown powered over for ‘Rock’s first try on 6 minutes.

Buccs’ top scorer Cregan snapped it back to 10-10 by converting his own try two minutes later, but two further penalties from O’Toole saw ‘Rock end the half 16-13 in front.

Cregan’s third penalty, five minutes into the second half, squared it up again at 16-16 but with Buccs failing to turn possession into points, Byrne’s try rocked the Pirates and sent today’s winners up to seventh in the standings.

Scorers: Blackrock: Tries: Gary Brown, Peter Byrne; Con: Paddy O’Toole; Pens: O’Toole 3

Buccaneers: Try: Tom Cregan; Con: Cregan; Pens: Cregan 3