Dungannon edged out by Buccs

Buccaneers 15 Dungannon 10

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B

Buccaneers won this evening’s bottom of the table clash in AIB League Division 1B, edging out Dungannon by five points at Dubarry Park.

Tries from Connacht’s Brian Tuohy – his second of the league campaign and promising young winger Sean Stapleton set Buccs up for a 15-7 half-time lead.

The Pirates established an early foothold up front, with team captain Colm Rigney and his back row colleague Kolo Kiripati setting the tone at the breakdown and in ball-carrying terms.

South African out-half JH Potgieter probed for position, with his Dungannon counterpart James Shiells proving equally adept with his touchfinders.

Buccs scrum half Adam Kennedy kicked a penalty and converted the tries from Tuohy and Stapleton to boost their hopes of registering a first win in seven league games.

The second half was a slugfest with the quality of rugby taking a dip as a nervy Buccs seemed content to try and hold onto their lead, against an increasingly potent ‘Gannon outfit.

The Tyrone side managed to cross the whitewash in the first half, with winger Conor Gaston’s effort converted by Shiells, but they had to settle for a losing bonus point in the end. Shiells’ only successful penalty closed the gap to five points but that was as close as the visitors got.

Scorers: Buccaneers: Tries: Brian Tuohy, Sean Stapleton; Con: Adam Kennedy; Pen: Adam Kennedy

Dungannon: Try: Conor Gaston; Con: James Shiells; Pen: James Shiells