Umee Gibraltar Rugby Championship Round 6

DHL Europa Stormers 3 - 62 IBEX Buccaneers

The IBEX Buccaneers maintained their unbeaten record to secure their second consecutive Championship with an impressive and comprehensive win over the DHL Stormers.

With the Championship at stake, this was an all-or-nothing game and it was the Buccaneers who dominated and had all but sealed the win by halftime.  From the start, they used their big pack effectively with Timmins and Waller repeatedly taking the ball into contact, and, in the set-piece, they overpowered the Stormers, providing a great platform for their backs. 

It was from a lineout and an ensuing ruck that they got their first score with Eastwell diving over.  As is often seen, however, they made a hash of the restart, conceding a penalty and with a kicker as accurate as Cruz, it was an easy three points for the Stormers. But that was to be the last of their scoring as the Buccaneers began to squeeze the pressure and from another set-piece, Sweeney broke for the line and, despite the covering tackle, managed to touch down.  Although the Buccaneers were beginning to get the better of the possession and territory, it was still a tight contest, demonstrated by Lewis opting for a kick at goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over, rather than going for the corner.  But it wasn’t long before they had their third try, again down to their forwards, with Kells scoring off the back of a five-meter scrum.  Obviously, fired up by his score, only minutes later he galloped out of his own 22 and, although tackled, managed to offload to Neave who was following up and finished the move, giving the Buccaneers their bonus point try and a 31-3 lead just before the break

The Stormers were finding it difficult to get into the game and despite some strong tackling were up against a rampaging Buccaneers team who started the second half the way they finished the first. Within five minutes they were back on the scoreboard with Neave nabbing his second, again initiated from a set-piece, and, with intelligent kicking, Lewis was keeping the Stormers pinned back in their own half.

It was only a matter of time before they got another score this time with Loddo running a great line from an offload from Waller.  The Stormers did have a bright spell with a sustained period of attack but, despite repeated infringements, they couldn’t convert that to points and the Buccaneers were able to clear and wrestle back control.  As the game went into the final quarter, the Buccaneers were still full of running and tries by Payas, Graham and McNab brought the game to a close and a very successful season for the Buccaneers with back-to-back Championships.   

Spirit of the Rock Man of the Match

Man of the Match was awarded to Kris Timmins for his incredible running play and fierce aggression when going into contact.

The league table at the end of the season with the Buccaneers finishing the season unbeaten.