v Malahide
Sunday March 9th Under 20B League
UCD 32
Malahide 3
At a cold and blustery Belfield the under 20 B’s finished up their league campaign with a hard fought victory over Malahide. Missing several of their usual starters this match provided an opportunity for some of the squad players to start along with several of Rob Lee’s C team. Playing into the wind in the first half Collidge started brightly but a number of opportunities were missed as the final pass failed to go to hand or the pass was forced resulting in Malahide being able to clear their lines. Soon Collidge were under pressure and found themselves three points down to an early Malahide penalty.
This seemed to waken Collidge from their slumber and once possession was secured from the restart Collidge actually maintained possession and lead by stand in captain Philip Lewis the forwards strung several phases together. The ball was released to the backs (where Chris Spelman was the latest candidate to occupy the number 10 jersey) and thanks to some quick hands the ball was transferred to full back Doug Lynch who finished well in the top right corner. Spellars was unsuccessful with the difficult conversion.
UCD ‘s pack were starting to get the upper hand and soon a penalty kick to touch followed by a throw to the ever impressive Luke Hickey allowed the pack to maul Malahide over the line where skipper Lewis touched down his first try in a UCD jersey. Again the conversion was missed.
Unfortunately there were no more scores in the first half as mistakes started to creep into UCD’s game, anytime Collidge maintained possession for a number of phases we looked like scoring but too often the ball carrier was isolated and momentum / possession was lost.
Thankfully after half time things improved and Collidge started to play their patterns and this resulted in a quick try for left winger Mark Jennings after some impressive work from centre Donal McGovern. Again the conversion was unsuccessful. Collidge maintained the pressure on Malahide and our fourth try came when Malahide attempted to move the ball out of defense and were intercepted by Stafford Vigors for an easy touch down under the posts. This time the conversion was successful (it was under the posts!) and Collidge lead twenty two points to three.
Collidge kept their best two scores to last and these included a length if the pitch try involving nearly every player which was finished off by number eight Niall Ievers. The last try was scored by Kevin Haugh after a clever switch in play by out half Spelman.
Collidge withstood some spirited Malahide attacks in the final ten minutes to keep the opposition tryless.
Next up for the 20 B’s is Balbriggan away in the Cup (date to be confirmed) all support welcome.
The squad would like to wish Robbie Field (son of Dr. Tom Field) all the best in Sunday’s Schools Cup Final.