Full back Robbie Lee, deputising for 'flu victim David Beggy, was outstanding in this match at Ballinasloe on Saturday.

Terenure were first to score when Billy Tracey was on target with a penalty from 30 metres in the fifth minute, but within three minutes Buccaneers had taken the lead. A great break by Brian Rigney sent the ball out to outhalf Simon Allnut and Lee burst through for a try which was converted by Allnut.

Four minutes later, following sustained pressure by the home forwards, Allnut had plenty of time to land a drop goal and 12 minutes later he was on target with a penalty. The home side's number eight, Martyn Steffart, was forced to retire in the 28th minute, but he was replaced by former international Noel Mannion, whose bone-crushing tackles seemed to lift the pack.

Against the run of play, Terenure had their first try in the 13th minute when hooker James Blaney crossed near the corner flag and out-half Tracey converted.

An excellent attacking run by Lee set up Mike Devine for a try which put the home side in front 18-10 after 12 minutes of the second half. Lee was yellow carded 10 minutes later and Des Rigney was sent to the `sin bin'.

Terenure entrusted the kicking duties to New Zealander Gavin Hill and he reduced the gap with a 22nd-minute penalty. However, Allnut landed a penalty of his own.

Hill missed a kickable chance in the 34th minute, but he was on target four minutes from time; but despite all the pressure, the visitors failed to penetrate the home line with a storming finish.

Buccaneers: R Lee; M Devine, O Cobbe, E Molloy, R Southam; S McIvor, S Allnut; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Cahill, B Rigney, Donal Rigney, Des Rigney, E Brennan, M Steffart. Subs: N Mannion for Steffart; P Lynch for Devine; C Rigney for Mannion.

Terenure: G Dempsey; D Coleman, C Clarke, M Smyth, P Walsh; B Tracey, N Hogan; S Barretta, J Blaney, D Hyland, R Sherrif, P Holden, G Hill, E Miller, B Kavanagh. Subs: S Cullen for Tracey; D Quinn for Holden.

Referee: D McHugh (Munster).