Second half drive seals victory for Dungannon
Dungannon 26 Buccaneers 18
Dungannon pulled clear of Buccaneers in the second half at Stevenson Park to open their campaign with a win.
The sides were locked level at 9-9 at the break as ‘Gannon fly half Gareth Steenson landed two penalties and a drop goal to three penalties from new Buccs full back Tom Cregan.
The latter continued his strong form with the boot into the second half as he landed a further three penalties but two tries from the Tyrone hosts decided the tie.
The first came from Ulster winger Tyrone Howe and the second, with Buccs down a man due to David Kelly’s sin-binning, from a penalty try.
Last season’s Ireland Under-21 captain Steenson also added a penalty to complete his personal haul of 16 points and rob Buccs of a bonus point.
Scorers: Dungannon: Tries: Tyrone Howe, Penalty try; Cons: Gareth Steenson 2; Pens: Steenson 4
Buccaneers: Pens: Tom Cregan 6
