Dramatic win for Buccaneers
Buccaneers 33 Belfast Harlequins 32
Buccaneers still have an outside chance of qualify for the Division One play-offs after scoring a dramatic 33-32 win over Belfast Harlequins at Dubarry Park.
Full-back Tommy Cregan held his nerve to convert his own try, seven minutes into injury-time, to deny 'Quins at the death. Cregan had made in it at the right corner, just moments after 'Quins centre Mike McKeever had been yellow carded for killing the ball.
Sin bins proved crucial in the Pirates' win - the visitors lost full-back Mark Kettyle to a silly yellow card for killing the ball just before half-time. With a one man advantage, Buccs scored two tries, either side of the break, through flanker Trevor Richardson. The home side had been 17-3 down after just 14 minutes.
Both Kettyle and winger Paul McKenzie touched down in the early stages for 'Quins to set them on their way. But Buccs, buoyed by their qualification for the AIB Cup semi-finals, reduced the arrears to 17-16 by half-time.
Richardson and Cregan were the central figures. Cregan, formerly of Shannon, ended the game with a brilliant 23-point tally as he scored a full house of points - a try, three penalties, three conversions and a drop goal.
'Quins, although denied full points, did pick up two bonus points as McKeever scored another try and Ireland Under-21 captain Stuart Philpott bagged their fourth before Cregan's late show.
