Dungannon accomplished something which appeared beyond their compass for the opening 20 minutes of Saturday's AIL Division One play-off, a victory. Fortified by intelligent and committed defence, the Ulster side capitalised on three try scoring opportunities, two of which the Buccaneers players will not relish reviewing on video.
The excellent strike-rate from chances presented has enabled Dungannon to consider the second leg at Stevenson Park next Saturday with a great deal less trepidation. They earned that right in a grim, war of attrition up front, but profited considerably from the home side's one dimensional approach.
Buccaneers were hampered by a patent lack of creativity behind the scrum often more of a danger to themselves, in possession, than the opposition. Out-half Eamon Molloy relied heavily on the boot and also the crash-ball tactic with veteran centre Kieran Slevin a reluctant buttress.
Dungannon's second try, scored by excellent full-back Robin Morrow best encapsulates Buccaneers' fallibility. The home pack had surged towards the Dungannon line, winning four rucks in succession and when the ball was finally extricated from their grasp, it was moved quickly to the open side.
Centre Conor Gormally, four metres from the Ulster team's line, decided to try a chip but Alaister Clarke blocked it down, regathered the ball and having made 35 metres, let Morrow canter the last 60. Blair's conversion made the score 12-3, three minutes after the interval.
Buccaneers failure to capitalise on a decent platform provided by the pack must have been particularly galling for those at the coalface. All eight forwards worked tirelessly and effectively, particularly New Zealand second row Mark McConnell, prop Jimmy Screene, hooker Joe McVeigh and excellent open-side Owen Brennan. Noel Mannion proved that ageing limbs can still prosper with a nimble mind.
Despite a physical battering, the Dungannon eight stuck manfully to a painful task, excellently marshalled by Jeremy Hastings. Stephen Bell was an abrasive presence at scrum-half while full-back Morrow's dancing feet and sense of adventure provided the majority of the game's memorable moments.
Molloy missed two early penalty chances as Buccaneers threatened to swamp their visitors before finally finding the target on 30 minutes from 42 metres, via an upright. Dungannon, though, delivered a crushing blow before half-time with a try from Clarke, a surfeit of numbers on the short side providing an easy opportunity after good driving by the pack.
Conceding a soft seven points just after the interval might have scuppered a less resolute side but Molloy's second penalty and a try from McConnell after Brian Rigney had taken a line-out close to the Dungannon line, offered an exciting finale.
Molloy missed another penalty opportunity before Dungannon displayed their greater fluency in possession sweeping downfield, Bell's break inside the 22 was rounded off by replacement Alaister Hood.
Buccaneers coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who will miss the second leg because of commitments to the USA national side, admitted: "We did not take advantage of our scoring chances and Dungannon did."
Scoring sequence: 30 mins: Molloy penalty, 3-0; 38: Clarke try, 3-5; R Morrow try, Blair conversion, 3-12; 47: Molloy penalty, 6-12; 52: McConnell try, 11-12; 64: Hood try, 11-17.
Buccaneers: T Stuart-Trainor; M Devine, C Gormally, K Slevin, R Lee; E Molloy, P Lynch; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Whelehan; M McConnell, B Rigney (capt); Des Rigney, N Mannion, O Brennan. Replacements: G Johnston for Slevin (74 mins), Donal Rigney for Mannion (74).
Dungannon: R Morrow; R Carey, A Redpath, A Clarke, R Cowan; A Blair, S Bell; B Morrow, M Patton, G Leslie (capt); C Simpson, K Walker; A Girvan, J Hastings, P Curry. Replacements: A Hood for Carey (55 mins), R Stevens for Blair (76), B Edgar for B Morrow (81).
Referee: D McHugh (Munster).
