Buccs lose out to Quins

Belfast Harlequins 14 Buccaneers 12

Top scorer Tom Cregan failed to nail all his kicks as Buccaneers slipped up in a relegation dogfight at Deramore Park, eventually losing 14-12 to Belfast Harlequins.

Cregan did land four successful penalties for Buccs but he missed a "sitter" in the first half which ultimately proved crucial.

Harlequins, who leapfrog the Pirates into 14th place with this win, led 6-0 at half-time thanks to two Niall O'Connor penalties.

The best move of the match, six minutes into the second half, saw 'Quins full-back Mark Kettyle scorch over for a try. Cregan's boot got Buccs back in touch but time ran out on the visitors in the brilliant Belfast sunshine.

In what was a veritable "eight pointer" as the league enters its final stages, both sides made a nervy opening.

O'Connor's second-minute penalty did seem to settle a 'Quins side that included their player-coach Andy Ward in the back row, but Buccs soon had an ideal chance to reply.

Unfortunately full-back Cregan, who came into the game having scored 109 in his previous 12 league outings, miscued and sent his penalty kick wide from right in front of the posts.

O'Connor, a member of the Irish squad that won the Under-20 Grand Slam and championship last week, kicked his second penalty to nudge 'Quins into a 6-0 lead for the interval.

By the hour mark, Buccs had made it a five-point game - 11-6 - as Cregan opened his account, but Kettyle's try was really the turning point.

Buccs' defence fell asleep as the 'Quins backs and forwards strung the passes together and timing his support run superbly, Kettyle glided over to the left of the posts.

'Quins did lose O'Connor to a yellow card - the Ulster Academy player infringed as the visitors looked to have an overlap out wide - but their defence was rock solid and try-scoring chances were at a premium for a Buccs side that has now lost its last six games.

Scorers: Harlequins: Try: Mark Kettyle; Pens: Niall O'Connor 3

Buccaneers: Pens: Tom Cregan 4

HT: Belfast Harlequins 6 Buccaneers 0