Energia AIL Rd 7: UCD 24 – 10 UCC

Collidge came away from the Mardyke on Saturday with 4 league points in the bag and the Dudley Cup on the bus. A 20-20 draw in the final league game at the same venue last April was enough to keep Collidge in the top division where they now sit in 2nd place just 5 points behind unbeaten leaders Cork Con … which surely makes Collidge’s  visit to Temple Hill on Saturday next a “must-see”! Be there!
Despite a few scares, a cohesive Collidge defence held UCC scoreless during the first half. James Tarrant opened the scoring with an 18^th minute penalty. However, he was off-target with another penalty soon after before David Ryan got his reward for some superb attacking play when he was on hand to finish off a forwards’ 12-phase passage of play. Tarrant converted. Half-time: UCC 0  UCD 10.
Once again the Collidge defence repelled the UCC attacking threats and moved the ball well for captain Jonny Guy to touch down for a try on 61 minutes .. Tarrant added the extras .. 17-0. UCC then ended their 65 scoreless minutes with a converted try (17-7) and added a penalty to leave just a converted score between the teams (17-10).

A flash of smart opportunism from Jack Ringrose lifted the late UCC siege when he latched onto a loose ball inside his own half and sprinted clear for a richly deserved try which Tarrant converted.
As this match also doubled as a Dudley Cup challenge Collidge were presented with this fine trophy by IURU’s Gavin O’Donnell to bring back to Belfield to await the next challenge v Trinity on March 26^th at College Park (Colours).

UCD: 15 David Ryan; 14 Rob Keenan; 13 Jack Ringrose; 12 Eoin Barr; 11 Josh O’Connor; 10 James Tarrant; 9 Harry Donnelly; 1 Rory Mulvihill; 2 Bobby Sheehan; 3 Sam Griffin; 4 Jonny Guy (Capt); 5 Cian Prendergast; 6 Ronan Foley; 7 Alex Penny; 8 Stephen McVeigh. Replacements: 16 Richie Bergin; 17 Emmet Burns; 18 Bobby Leahy; 19 David Moran; 20 David Heavey.

Next match: v Cork Con (away) 07/12