Galwegians win away

Greystones 15 Galwegians 23

Connacht’s Liam Bibo kicked 13 points as Galwegians condemned bottom side Greystones to their fifth loss of the league campaign.

The former Australian Under-21 international converted tries from lock Andrew Browne and winger John Cleary as ‘Wegians ended a run of three defeats.

‘Stones led 12-7 at half-time with centre Aaron Higgs touching down under the posts and back rower John O’Beirne also powering over.

But the visitors turned it around with Cleary’s opportunistic score and rounded off the win with Bibo’s third penalty.

The crucial period of this match came in the first 15 minutes after the interval when ‘Stones conceded 13 points without reply.

The Wicklow side’s discipline let them down as ‘Wegians came from behind to take victory in the club’s first ever AIB League meeting at Dr. Hickey Park.

‘Stones grabbed the game’s first try when a quick move initiated by their forwards ended with a pop pass putting Higgs over for his first touchdown of the campaign.

Fit-again out-half James Power converted and determined to banish memories of last week’s 27-0 defeat to Ballymena, Colin McEntee’s young charges went further ahead when a swift attack out on the right led to O’Beirne scoring.

The men from the west hit back before the break when former Ireland Under-20 international Browne took advantage of an attack, created by the visitors’ backs, to cross to the right of the posts. Bibo, who made his AIB League as a winger but can also play at full-back or centre, landed the conversion to cut the gap to 12-7.

‘Stones lost their way in the early stages of the second half. Bibo kicked two penalties and also converted the try from Cleary, who seized the ball after it squirted out from a ruck on the right and had the pace to make the line.

A penalty from penalty reduced the arrears to 20-15 but ‘Stones were cruelly denied a losing bonus point in injury-time when Bibo stepped up to slam a penalty through the posts from right on the 22.

Scorers: Greystones: Tries: Aaron Higgs, John O’Beirne; Con: James Power; Pen: James Power

Galwegians: Tries: Andrew Browne, John Cleary; Cons: Liam Bibo 2; Pens: Liam Bibo 3