Energia AIL Rd 13: Terenure 16 – 21 UCD

For the second week heavy rain and a strong wind made for very difficult playing conditions .. this time at Lakelands on Friday night. This win keeps Collidge 3^rd in the table and in contention for a top-four playoff place.

First-half close-in tries from Bobby Sheehan and Nick Peters and both expertly converted from the touchline by James Tarrant put Collidge 0-14 ahead by the 32^nd minute. A yellow card meant that Collidge would finish the half a man down and Terenure took advantage with an unconverted try (5-14) just on half-time.

Given the strength of the wind and worsening of the underfoot conditions, the 9-point lead seemed perilous as the home team owned possession deep in the Collidge half for the opening 10 minutes of the half. However, in the 51^st minute Adam Byrne smartly intercepted a poor Terenure pass, raced clear of the home defenders and made light work of the sticky Lakelands (aptly named) pitch to sprint 70 metres to touch down. JT converted .. 5-21.

It was now all about defending this 16-point lead and Collidge did this with a very gutsy and disciplined final 25 minutes. Despite that, Terenure did manage a late converted try and a (last kick) penalty to salvage a losing bonus point.

Note: Next Saturday’s match v Clontarf will double as the final of the Leinster Senior Cup

UCD: 15 David Ryan; 14 Adam Byrne; 13 Gavin Mullin; 12 Andy Marks; 11 Barry Daly; 10 James Tarrant; 9 Nick Peters; 1 Emmet Burns; 2 Bobby Sheehan; 3 Sam Griffin; 4 John Fairley; 5 Jonny Guy (Capt); 6 Dan O’Donovan; 7 Alex Penny; 8 Stephen McVeigh. Replacements: 16 Richie Bergin; 17 Rory Mulvihill; 18 Bobby Leahy; 19 Harry Donnelly; 20 David Moran.

Next match: v Clontarf (home) 29/02 2.30pm