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 18th 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 26th 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
UCD Rugby offers a great opportunity for sponsors to get behind our club, team, players and the wider University community. There are many sponsorship opportunities within the club, across teams, pitches and events. Contact us for more info.