posted — August 31st 2010

BUCCANEERS SENIOR panel made a successful raid to the north-west last weekend as their preparations for the forthcoming All-Ireland League gather momentum. They hit Hamilton Park, Strandhill, on Saturday where they were much too strong for Sligo winning their friendly encounter 51-7.

In fine conditions, the exchanges were relatively even early on and indeed Sligo opened the scoring with a converted try. But once Buccs found their rhythm, they were far too organised and slick for the hosts and the midlanders helped themselves to a haul of nine tries. Paul Harte notched a hat-trick while Sean Stapleton grabbed a brace. James Tormey, Kolo Kiripati, Alex Hayman and Colin Watters were the other try scorers. The place-kicking was not of the same high order with Adam Kennedy (2) and Domhnall Corbett converting just one-third of the tries scored.

Harte was the star of this show with Jarrod Bennett doing well at full-back until sustaining an injury. Tormey and Anthony Hughes were pick of the pack that was much too physical for Sligo as the Athlone outfit got a chance to give all players present a run out. It was a memorable day for young flanker Simone Bianco who became the first Italian to play for Buccaneers when he debuted in the second half.

BUCCANEERS:- J.Bennett; D.Fagan, P.Harte, C.Draper, B.Henshaw; D.Corbett, A.Kennedy; M.Diffley, G.Halligan (captain), B.Gilligan; J.Tormey, Anthony Hughes; Adrian Hughes, H.Reilly and K.Kiripati. Replacements used:- M.Staunton, D.Egan, G.Kelly, E.Brady, G.Duffy, C.Watters, S.Burke, P. de Burca, G.Walshe, A.Hayman, S.Stapleton and S. Bianco.