Buccaneers Take Connacht Derby Spoils

The Connacht bragging rights went to a buoyant Buccaneers outfit as they earned a 15-8 victory over Galwegians at Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B: Saturday, October 31

BUCCANEERS 15 GALWEGIANS 8, Dubarry Park

Scorers: Buccaneers: Tries: JH Potgieter, Colm Rigney; Con: JH Potgieter; Pen: JH Potgieter
Galwegians: Try: Tiernan O’Halloran; Pen: Mark Butler

Tries in each half from South African full-back JH Potgieter and player-coach Colm Rigney did the damage for the improving Pirates.

Connacht youngster Tiernan O’Halloran had opened the scoring with a try against the run of play for Galwegians and full-back Mark Butler closed the gap to 10-8 early in the second half.

Buccs dominated possession in the opening half and scored their first half in the last attack of the half.

Winger Paul Harte raced down the left flank, brilliantly beating three players before Potgieter took the ball on and got over near the corner flag.

With the rain teaming down, Potgieter’s successful conversion and penalty pushed the home side ahead by 10-5 before Butler nailed his penalty attempt.

However, Buccs, who surprised Ballymena away from home last weekend, got the match-winning try when former Connacht back rower Rigney burst over off the back of a five-metre scrum.