v DLSP
U20B 12 - 0 DLSP A
On a windswept Thornfield yesterday UCD’s under 20 B’s got their league campaign back on the road yesterday with a well deserved 12 points to nil victory against DLSP A. This victory was achieved on the foundations of a marvelous first half performance where playing into the gale Collidge led 5 points to nil at half time.
During the first half Collidge were able to hold DLSP at bay thanks to an excellent all round defensive performance. Very few tackles were missed and Collidge led by the outstanding back row of Daire O Beirne, Maurice Deasy and Niall Ievers competed very well at the breakdown where the referee penalised numerous DLSP infringements.
Once Collidge gained possession we were able to maintain this possession through the tight work of the front five where lose head Neill Halligan and the second row pair of James Hayes and James McAlister impressed. As the half wore on Collidge managed to gain a footing in the DLSP half and after missing one half chance where a turnover enabled DLSP to clear the ball down the field Collidge were able to return to the DLSP half. This time Collidge kept the ball though four or five phases and the play was cleverly switched by inside centre Conor Allen, Allen took the ball on and did very well to beat the last defender and send his centre partner Peter Condon in for a very well taken try. Ross O’Brien was unlucky with the very difficult conversion which managed to get within 5 meters of the uprights, this left the half time score at UCD 5 DLSP 0.
Playing with the gale at their backs in the second half Collidge showed their intent when within five minutes of the restart we had scored our second try this time through the hard running of Daire O’Beirne. Working the blind side very well scrum half Stephen Hemmingway found lose head Halligan who in turn found hooker Ruairi Moore (who deserves a special mention for his line out throwing in what were very difficult conditions). The ball was recycled very well and fed to O’Brian who raced away and ‘trampled’ over the remaining defender to score in the corner, this time Ross O’Brien kicked a fantastic conversion from the touchline to make the score 12 nil to Collidge.
After this the half deteriorated into a very stop start affair where after every passage of play there was an injury stoppage which prevented both teams gaining any momentum. This was a disappointment as with a bit more control Collidge should have been able to secure a winning bonus point.
Next up for the 20 B’s are league leaders Blackrock in Stradbrook next Sunday, all support welcome.