J1 13 – 8 De La Salle Palmerstown
UCD J1 made the trip out to Kilternan to play second-placed DLSP in what was their first chance to put right the misgivings of the week before. The attitude was clear from the offset that UCD were a much different prospect to the side which were well beaten by Trinity the week before, and clearly were out to prove a point.
The back row led by captain Gerald O’Rourke, Paddy Conlon and Will “Hutch” worked tirelessly in the tackle and the breakdown to win some valuable penalties for Collidge early on. This appeared to reassure the young college side, as they grew in confidence as the half unfolded.
College won numerous penalties all over the park, as the DLSP defence and attack were forced to infringe to maintain any sort of possession and it wasn’t long before UCD got on the score-sheet from a Neil Cowie penalty.
Unfortunately for UCD, an infringement from the ruck only minutes later, meant DLSP’s first visit into the unfamiliar territory of the UCD 22 paid them three points and a level footing, on the score card at least.
Another chance came soon after a wayward kick down field by De La Salle, full back David Thomas Nyhan collected and began to surge forward making almost 50m, and ably supported by centre’s Rory Allwright and Dave Brennan, which meant quick ball ensued. A pick and drive from James Hayes and Stephen O Dwyer, followed by an characteristically long pass from Connor Mitchell gave winger Joe McGinley the space to attack down the left wing with seemingly only the try line to beat, but for some excellent last ditch tackling and about two foot of turf to deny him. Medics were unsure whether it was his ribs or his pride that was hurt to keep him down after the challenge, but we are assured that a full update will be available on the website when possible!
The signs were good for UCD; they were dominating in the tight, with a mobile and technically able pack, and coupled with fine running, with and without the ball, the backs were able to use the ample amount of possession they received wisely.
Neil Cowie and Cormac Quinn linked effortlessly together to control the game, which paid huge dividends as they constantly made invaluable territory with ball in hand, and from the boot. The endeavour shown by the youngest Quinn, paid off when after a slick back-line move sped the ball into Mr Nyhan’s hands, who, with the vision not many including himself realised he had, gave a pass over the top of the income defence to find Cormac Quinn with a safe pair of hands, and an intelligent line to cross over underneath the posts. Cowie with the extras, and finally after 25 minutes of play, UCD were rewarded with the try that had long-since looked like coming.
UCD had a number of chances to add real headway between the sides from a number of difficult penalties, one hitting the post only to bounce over the head of Joseph McGinley, five metres out, who chased had chased the kick.
The half time scores stood 10-3 to UCD, but they knew they were only half-way there and that a steely determination would be needed for the second half if they were to leave the mountains with the spoils. Rallied by Coach Graham Jones who demanded more, the players reacted positively and began the second as they finished the first.
The DLSP forwards were increasingly becoming irritated by the amount of ball that James Hayes and especially Steve O’Dwyer were pilfering from them at every opportunity, and soon began to tap’n’go all of their penalties as they began to lose hope.
UCD played the territory intelligently but seldom came away with points to show for it. It took all of twelve phases of controlled play from UCD from a scrum, which resulted in the now prolific Ger Moran touching down for his customary score in the corner.
Just as UCD looked like breaking away from their hosts, a petty infringement which resulted in the sin-binning of David Nyhan, meant the UCD backline were man down and put under more pressure to keep DLSP out.
DLSP made a great break down the open-side wing, after several phases through the middle of the park, but for a technically brilliant try-saving tackle from Pistol Pete O Riordan literally a metre from the line to deny them, who also had the peace of mind to get up and try to steal the ball, and was unfortunate to give away a disputable penalty for his troubles. He showed that he is as good a tackler as he is with “ball in hand”.
Under immense pressure the UCD scrum began to go back ward, and DLSP finally crossed the whitewash after a “double” attempt at it. The extras were missed, but the game was still in the balance, scores at 15-8.
Although the scores were tight, UCD never looked like losing the game, and probably made harder work of it that they needed to. They controlled the game admirably, keeping it tight when down a man in the backs, and then using their runners when back to a full compliment to dig out the forwards. It would be hard to single out anyone for a MOTM performance as everyone stood firm when called upon, but the forwards as a unit must get a special mention as they trundled from ruck-to-ruck, tackle-to-tackle to assure their team-mates of a safe defence, time and time again.
Thanks must go again to coach Graham and Manager Peter for the thankless work they put in week after week.
Christmas Party on 19th Dec in the usual place, don’t forget the decorations!
UCD: 1-15.
Ger Moran, Barry Lynch, Connor Mitchell, Stephen O Dwyer, James Hayes, Paddy Conlon, Will Hutch, Ger O’Rourke, Cormac Quinn, Neil Cowie, Joe McGinley, Rory Allwright, Dave Brennan, Pete O’Riordan, David Nyhan.