Big win for Buccs in top flight

BUCCANEERS can finally get off the bottom of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A this weekend if they beat St Mary’s College and prevent their hosts from picking up a bonus point at Templeville Road.

The Athlone outfit lost their first seven games in the league this season, before last weekend’s brilliant 19-13 win at home to UCD at Dubarry Park.

Buccaneers held a 13-6 lead at half-time, and tries from Shane Layden and Rory O’Connor as well as three penalties from Luke Carty were enough to secure a precious victory.

Buccaneers remain bottom of the standings, but they are now just four points behind this weekend’s opponents, and come into this game full of confidence.

On the other hand, Corinthians and Galwegians continue to struggle in Division 2A, and their respective seasons went from bad to worse in Round 8, when they both succumbed to defeat.

Corinthians lost 33-19 at home to Blackrock College, and they were leap-frogged by their visitors as a result. Corinthians are eighth in the standings ahead of their game away to Malone at Gibson Park tomorrow.

The situation got even more desperate for Galwegians last weekend when they were hammered 52-17 at Nenagh Ormond.

They are one place behind rivals Corinthians and they need to beat Highfield in Crowley Park.

In Division 2C Sligo lost their first game of the season in Round 8, but they remain two points clear at the top of the table.

Sligo were beaten 22-12 away to Seapoint but they can bounce right back tomorrow when they welcome Bangor to Hamilton Park. The Connacht club have won six of their eight games in the league this term.