Buccaneers Maintain Winning Form
Kilballyowen Park hosted its first top flight game in the All-Ireland League on Saturday, but Bruff could not muster the desired result for the vocal home crowd.
In a hugely entertaining tie played in blustery conditions, Buccaneers, under new South African coach Hendre Marnitz, just about deserved their win.
Second row Alfie Laffan opened the scoring for Bruff with an encouraging third minute try, crashing over on the end of a pushover drive.
But Connacht prospect Adam Kennedy converted John O'Brien's eighth-minute score to move Buccs ahead. O'Brien used his pace to outstrip the cover and finish with aplomb.
A well-struck penalty from team captain Brian Cahill edged the Limerick side back in front, only for scrum half Kennedy to slot two penalties of his own and make the margin 13-8 for half-time.
Buccs could have been further ahead, but prop Martin Staunton was held up just just short of the try-line.
There was clear distance between the sides early in the second half when the elusive O'Brien raced over from his right wing for his second try, after Kennedy had landed a 44th minute penalty.
Bruff, beaten at Clontarf last weekend, bounced back with another penalty from Cahill and showed plenty of urgency as they began to take the game to the visitors.
A sin-binning for Buccs prop Conor Higgins gave Bruff a numerical advantage, however they failed to score during that ten-minute spell.
Buccs still had the bit between their teeth, nonetheless, and they maintained the pressure despite blowing a couple of try-scoring chances. The final passes was letting them down, as evidenced by a poor delivery to winger Frank Daly who had the line at his mercy.
In the 69th minute, Buccs eventually gave way. Experienced centre Cahill, who played alongside his brothers Eoin and Tony, was able to convert a try from number 8 Peter Malone, whittling Buccs' lead down to just three points.
It was anyone's game at this stage, and Buccs' greater experience at this level stood to them in a thrilling finish.
It took a length of the pitch move to do it, with young full-back Callum Boland finishing off a spectacular 77th minute try in the left corner.
Although Kennedy missed the conversion, Boland's score was enough for Buccs to see out the win and deny a gallant Bruff side their bonus point. Cahill's late drop goal attempt missed the target.
The result keeps Marnitz's charges tucked in behind pacesetters Clontarf in the Division 1B standings, ahead of the sides' crunch clash at Castle Avenue on October 23.
Referee: Mark Patton (IRFU)