Buccaneers under-20s maintain winning ways with Shannon victory

BUCCANEERS U-20s maintained their impressive start to their South-West Conference Division One campaign with their third successive victory, this time an eye-catching 39-8 win away to Shannon at Coonagh. This Buccs side is knitting nicely together now and there is wonderful resolve, organisation and no little skill in a squad that is clearly growing in confidence on the back of their fine achievements to date. On a good afternoon in Limerick, Buccs showed little respect for reputations, pressuring right from the kick off to force an early penalty that John Connellan converted. They soon had a setback when a cut forced Conor Molloy"s withdrawal after a mere six minutes and Buccs also had to weather a storm as Shannon responded but Buccs went through some phases before unleashing Billy Henshaw for their opening try on ten minutes. Stung further by this score, Shannon now applied some fierce pressure but Buccs withstood this challenge and gradually rucked their way out their danger zone with some astute picking and driving. They eventually forced a lineout deep in the home half and, following a good drive forward, Kevin Creaven spun away with the ball for a 18th minute try which Connellan, fit again after injury, converted for a 15-0 lead. Shannon"s big pack finally opened their account with a 27th minute try but, just five minutes later, Colin Draper broke through in impressive style for a try at the posts with Connellan again converting. Better still followed for Buccs when a good series of rucks set up Adam Kennedy for their fourth and bonus try just before half-time, when the midlanders held an impressive 27-5 advantage. Shannon threw caution to the wind on the restart and reduced their arrears with a penalty. Buccs had to defend stoutly for spells but held their line intact. At the three-quarters stage, Ian Worley gave a sublime reverse pass to David Fagan, who scampered in for Buccs" fifth try, before Henshaw fended off a number of tacklers to notch his second try which Connellan converted to complete the 39-8 scoreline. Buccaneers scrums were rock solid against a bigger pack with the front row trio dictating matters. The lineout functioned well aided by some astute calls. Keelan Headd was again very prominent ably assisted by Rory Byrne, while flankers Shane O"Neill and especially Creaven were first class. Paul Robinson did well despite his inexperience at No. 8. Kennedy and Connellan formed a great understanding at half-back, while Henshaw was a class act in the backline. Apart from his scoring exploits, he is also putting in some bone-crushing tackles in a tidy and tight backs unit where Fagan was lively and inventive. BUCCANEERS: D.Fagan; B.Henshaw, C.Draper, R.Walsh, C.Molloy; J.Connellan, A.Kennedy; N.Harney (captain), D.Egan, T.Thompson; K.Headd, R.Byrne; S.O"Neill, K.Creaven and P.Robinson. Replacements used: I.Worley (for Molloy, 5 mins), L.Doran (for Thompson, 62), E.Doolan (for Walsh, 65) and C.Murtagh (for Fagan, 70).