posted — January 24th 2012

BUCCANEERS tackle Ballymena in what should be an entertaining floodlit Ulster Bank League Division 1B tie at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on next Saturday night. Kick off for this match is 7.30 p.m. and Buccs officials are hoping for another big turnout as they believe floodlit games is the way to go. Crowds tend to be much bigger and the atmosphere is certainly better, as evidenced in the recent win over Galwegians.

Buccs surprised Ballymena 16-10 when the sides met last October at Eaton Park but the Braidmen responded to that setback with a decent run that saw them head the league table recently. They currently lie in fifth place on 26 points but, in a tightly congested league table, they are just four points adrift of leaders Ballynahinch. Buccs, meanwhile, are tucked in in third place just a single point behind Hinch.

Buccs have a number of injury concerns primarily re Shane Layden, John O'Brien and Denis Buckley but hope that they may be fit in time for Saturday's action. Definitely out is David Heffernan, who incurred a two-week suspension following his red card against Wegians, while Daniel Qualter is on duty with Ireland U-20s. However, Buccs should still field a competitive side keen to continue their winning ways in the league and if Kolo Kiripati can again lead by example as he did against Wegians, then the Pirates will certainly be up for battle.

Ballymena upset leaders Ballynahinch in their pre-Christmas clash but since than have lost both league fixtures including a heavy home defeat to Dungannon last time out. However, they had a solid win away to Old Belvedere in last week's Bateman Cup semi-final that will surely life morale. Blane McIlroy is a tidy scrumhalf, Simon Shawe a wonderful servant at tighthead prop, John Semple a decent placekicker, No. 8 and captain Paul Pritchard leads by example while South African centre Richard Aingworth seems to be their “go to” man. But if Buccaneers play to their collective potential, then they can keep pace with the leaders.