Eddie Fox snr., Jimmy Moran, Ian Finnegan
James Finnegan & Eddie Fox jnr.
U20 B 24 – 6 Old Wesley
The 20 B’s secured another hard fought victory over a very good Old Wesley side on Sunday afternoon. Played in glorious December sunshine the match was moved to the all weather pitch after the heavy overnight frost deemed the Thornfield pitches unplayable for the 12pm kick off time.
UCD started slowly and were soon under pressure as Old Wesley attempted to move the ball wide at every opportunity; it took some strong Collidge defence from centre Colm McSharry and full back Shane O’Connor to keep the Collidge line intact. However Old Wesley were awarded a penalty (one of six against UCD in the first ten minutes……….) wide on the right and their out half impressively slotted the penalty to give Wesley a three point lead after six minutes. Collidge had been warned….any penalties conceded in their half were likely to be punished by the Wesley out half. Gradually Collidge woke up and started to gain some field position in the Wesley half but thanks to some basic errors from UCD and the ever confusing interpretation of the scrummaging laws by the match referee (a trend that continued right through the afternoon for both teams… …) Wesley were able to clear their lines and continue to mount pressure on UCD.
Old Wesley increased their lead to six points when after another penalty (secured by the impressive Wesley number 7) the Wesley out half bagged another 3 points for the Donnybrook outfit.
UCD got their first points of the afternoon when outhalf Daniel Clifford converted a twenty second minute penalty to close the gap to three points.
Collidge started to get some attacking momentum close into the ruck where Robbie Field, Jack Hogan, Mike O’Sullivan and the excellent Neal Foley were prominent, and their efforts were rewarded when Captain Maurice Deasy went in from close range after thirty minutes. This was well converted by out half Daniel Clifford, although the referee for some reason took an age to award Collidge the two points.
Collidge started to mount some pressure now and after an excellent break from the impressive UCD openside Conal Cremin, Collidge threatened the Wesley line but their defence held firm and the half time score remained at ten points to six in UCD’s favour.
After the break UCD did not deal with the restart and Wesley immediately piled on the pressure, it took some good defence from replacement full back Joe Mackenzie and outside centre David Fahy to keep Wesley out.
Neither team managed to find any rhythm in the second half as errors, free kicks & penalties dominated proceedings. Collidge got their second try when after good work down the right wing from Shane O’Connor, hooker Neal Foley went over from a loose Wesley lineout.
Replacement prop Fergal Lynch went over for the third try following a great kick by out half Clifford and some good work near the Wesley line from the Collidge pack. At this stage UCD were able to use all their remaining replacements and it gave a welcome opportunity to Doug Memery, Kevin Haugh, Douche Hickey and we welcomed Neil Murphy and Richie Whelan back after their injury lay offs.
UCD failed to get the bonus point but unlike the Suttonians match a few weeks ago it was not a case of leaving the extra point on the pitch this time.
We hope to see Darrell Quinn, Iain Mays and James McAllister back on the field after Christmas as they recover from their long lay offs…...Mayser has even promised to shave off his mop of curls when he comes back!!!!!
All in all it has been a very successful & enjoyable first half of the season to which all of the squad have contributed towards, but the players and management know that these results will not count for anything if we don’t build on them in the tough games we face after Christmas.
Joe Mackenzie would like me to thank everyone for the numerous suggestions he received after last weeks match report but he has told me that he is sorted and all I can say is you are a lucky girl Julie to have such a generous boyfriend in Joe.
Speaking of Julie we have yet to welcome her to one of our matches but apparently she is wary of being tracked down by the Paparazzi…….. She is also getting tired of being photographed around campus…………but that’s the price you pay for being one half of a celebrity couple.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank John McClean for his continuous support, Dr. Tom Field, physio Sarah Gleeson and team manager Mairead Buckley for their expertise, all the parents for their support, Pete Herangi for his invaluable assistance and all the lads for their efforts so far this season.
Yesterday’s game was the last game for Eddie Fox as he will be joining the University Copenhagen’s rugby club after Christmas….thanks for everything Eddie.
Also Pete & I would like to take this opportunity to wish the very best of luck to all the players in their forthcoming exams....I know in some cases you will need it.
Finally I would like to wish all the members of UCD RFC a very happy Christmas and a successful 2009.
Click on photo to enlarge