J1  10 – 12  Barnhall

In what had to be the toughest conditions of the year so far in Belfield, only the die-hard needed apply. It was a day where determination, grit and desire were going to be the main drivers of success. UCD started brightly playing with a strong breeze and the hill, the onus was on the homeside to take the game to the Barnhall men.

UCD were guilty perhaps of a little over-enthusiasm as they missed the calculated approach of weeks gone by, too often they kicked balls dead and infringed at the breakdown, which stunted any real head-way into the game. The referee, sadly, was intent on being more than a facilitator and was involved heavily throughout the game, something which 'collidge’ perhaps should have come to terms with sooner rather than later.

The breakthrough finally came after some fine interchange play, from a team determined not to let the conditions deteriorate the standard of rugby on show. Simon Gillespie, into a strong wind, and under pressure for time slotted the extras from what seemed an impossible angle. UCD started to build momentum well, but the final pass/phase let them down on more than one occasion.

After some fine work in the tight from David Gilchrist and James Hayes, UCD broke through the powerful running of Matt Nagle who found support in Kyle Kopehmal behind him, forgoing the overtures of the men outside him, the young South African backed himself with a step inside and appeared to touch down after a stretching dive. The referee deemed a double-movement to have taken place, and awarded the penalty to the visitors.

UCD would be left to rue missed chances, as the half-time score were a slim seven points to nil, and knew they had it all to do in the second half.

Whilst Barnhall were expected to control the game in the second half, UCD's determination meant this failed to materialise, as the students kept plenty of the ball, although, with little success or territory.

The back-three of Mark Buckley, Joe McGinley and Kopehmal worked tirelessly together to make sure anything kicked downfield was dealt with accordingly.

Barnhall were next to touch down as the picked and drove at the breakdown tirelessly all afternoon, and deservedly, crossed the UCD whitewash in the corner after a series of phases, the ball was flashed out wide as the winger rounded the last defender to touch down in the corner, the extra's were missed leaving the scores 7-5.

UCD rallied themselves after this and shared a plentiful supply of meaningful possession, a sharp strong line break by Gillespie from the centre fed by Out-half Cowhie, was retained by support runner Nagle who again made the hard yards to get in behind the West-siders. Strong work in the tight continuously by Ger Moran and Gavin Telford meant quick ball ensued, leaving the opposition no choice but to infringe and concede the penalty. UCD converted to leave the scores 10-0 with five minutes left on the clock.

In a cruel twist of fate, a rare mistake by full-back Kopehmal, left the ball flying across his own 5m line, which led to Barnhall receiving a penalty a few yards out. Several pick and drives later and they crossed just beside the sticks leaving the conversion a formality, and deflating the students in one cruel blow.

Best on the day for UCD were Matt Nagle, James Hayes and Stephen O'Dwyer who represented themselves valiantly in testing conditions.

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