v DLSP
UCD J1 29 DLSP 10
On a cool and reasonably still afternoon, the J1 side played DLSP in Thornfield. In what some would see as an unusual selection policy, three forwards were promoted to the ranks of backs for the afternoon, with Ger O'Rourke taking the 12 berth and second row Conor O'Keefe playing outside him at 13 and the piece de resistance of captain and number 8 Matt Nagle playing on the left wing. Some would call it madness but Dave Murphy is clearly a tactical genius and so the result on the day would prove.
After a tense and nervous 10 minute opening spell, UCD won a penalty in front of the posts which was kicked by outhalf Kevin Quinlan to give Collidge a 3-0 lead. DLSP subsequently got a penalty which they failed to convert and outhalf Quinlan cleared the lines. Once back in the DLSP half, we got another penalty which Quinlan again converted to bring the score to 6-0. 15 minutes before half time, Collidge finally cracked the DLSP line. A wayward clearing kick was gathered on the UCD 10m line by full back Conor Quinn, who in his first game after a lengthy injury cut a straight line at pace back through the defence and finally swerved round the full back to score under the posts. A fine score and great to see Conor back at his best. The try was converted and the J1 team went into the break 15-0 up after another DLSP infringement was penalised and converted by Kevin Quinlan.
In the second half, with the UCD line functioning brilliantly through Steve O'Dwyer and Cathal Doyle, one felt it was only a matter of time before the chances would start to open up. This proved to be the case. Quinlan added another 3 pointer and Collidge rallied. In a move that started in their own half, Collidge attacked up the left flank and then moved right and in the resulting interplay, David Gilchrist, Rory O'Connor, Ger Moran and Conor O'Keefe all handling the ball before setting winger Kyle Komphamel away to score a beautiful try and showing what this team are capable of on their day.
With 20 mins to go UCD went to sleep and DLSP got two unconverted tries and left the score at 24-10. After regrouping behind the posts, Collidge once again attacked from the resulting restart with Gavin Telford and Conor Mitchell making some big hits in the loose. Rallied on by scrum half Vinnie Hammond and charges by Eddie Conlon and Shane Griffen, Collidge pressed for another score and after a series of heavy contacts inside the DLSP 22m line, captain and converted winger Matty Nagle did what he knows best, he picked from the base of a ruck in the left corner and proceeded to drive over the line from 5m. The score finished at 29-10 in what was an entertaining game and gave indications of what the J1 side is capable of, even when the availability of backs appears to be a luxury.
Well done to the lads on continuing to improve and the positive rugby they are determined to play and to David Murphy who has been asked to consider the prospect of being Jake White's replacement! (negotiations pending)
Shane Geraghty