Energia Community Series: Old Wesley 18 – 14 UCD

Deep into injury time, (in a sunny and empty Donnybrook) Bobby Sheehan salvaged a losing bonus point for Collidge at the end of a match that only came to life 3 minutes into the second period when Old Wesley scored twice in the opening 5 minutes, firstly from a penalty (for off-side) and then a penalty try given after a series of penalties for scrum and maul infringements by Collidge.

The first half was featureless with neither side really threatening to go beyond the opposition 22. A succession of penalties which neither side could take advantage of were wasted and the stop-start nature of the game wasn’t helped by some poor handling and passes going astray or going forward. Wesley’s scrum dominance went unrewarded as two kickable penalties sailed wide.

Half-time: Old Wesley 0 – 0 UCD

For the second period, the home team had the strengthening breeze from the Bective end at their backs and were 10-0 ahead after 5 minutes. This seemed to spur Collidge into a response and Andy Marks was rewarded for his continued probing of the home defence with a well-taken converted try after 58 minutes (10-7). However, 2 minutes later Collidge again infringed the offside line and Old Wesley added the three-pointer and the went further ahead (18-7) on 67 minutes with a well-worked (unconverted) team try in the corner.

As Collidge pounded the Wesley line with time running out, a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on reduced the Wesley numbers and from the resultant penalty and subsequent mauls, Sheehan crashed over to rescue the losing bonus point.

Full-time: Old Wesley 18 UCD 14   

UCD: 15 David Ryan, 14 Josh O’Connor; 13 Andy Marks 12 Tim Corkery; 11 Alex O’Grady; 10 David Moran; 9 Richie Fahy; 1 Rory Mulvihill; 2 Bobby Sheehan; 3 Robert Byrne; 4 John Fairley; 5 Jack Gardiner; 6 Jonny Guy; 7 Ben Murray; 8 \Ronan Foley (Capt). Replacements: 16 Richie Bergin; 17 Emmet Burns; 18 Bobby Leahy; 19 Dan O’Donovan; 20 Tom Foley; 21 James Tarrant.