Victory puts UCD level with Quins

UCD did just enough to take the spoils from a competitive AIB League encounter against Galwegians at Crowley Park yesterday on a 13-19 scoreline.

Although the students led from the start, they could never shake off a home outfit that scrapped for the valuable bonus point.

The win puts UCD level with Harlequins on 22 points on the division one league table, while Galwegians jump over Dungannon and widen the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

The students' superior backline, boosted by the introduction of Christian Warner in the second half, was the difference between these two sides. Yet they went into the second half just 8 3 ahead.

Outhalf Eoghan Hickey and Galwegian winger John Cleary swapped penalties right wing Stephen Grissing crossed for the opening try from a diagonal burst after 30 minutes.

Yet Galwegians dominated for the first 20 minutes of the second half, and had UCD in all sorts of bother in the scrum, particularly with the introduction of prop Dan McFarland, backed by a superior back row.

Despite earning two penalties from five metre scrums, Galwegians opted to take the three points, and thereafter the students wrested the initiative.

The influential Hickey stretched the lead with a well-taken penalty before fullback Ross McCarron crossed in the left corner, stretching the lead to 10 points.

Although centre Stuart Meagher scored a late try for the home side, which Cleary converted, the better-balanced UCD outfit finished the stronger with 83rd minute Hickey penalty.

Elsewhere, Clontarf lost their Castle Avenue unbeaten record in controversial circumstances.

They lost 8-13 to Blackrock and were denied an injury time try by the intervention of a touch judge.

Dan Van Zyl appeared to keep the ball in play on one wing before launching a counter-attack that ended with Niall O'Brien galloping over in the other corner.

Sadly for Van Zyl and Clontarf, they were called back when referee David Keane spotted the linesman's flag up and the try was denied.

Conor Kilroy kicked two early penalties for Blackrock but David Hewitt brought Clontarf back into the game with a well worked try. Shane Madigan stormed over for 'Rock and Paul Graham converted to give the visitors a 13-5 lead at the interval.

O'Shea narrowed the gap but that late rally was doomed to failure.

The defeat leaves Clontarf in third place despite an impressive win by Belfast Harlequins at Lansdowne Road.

But Garryowen moved into second place on points difference following their impressive win at Dubarry Park over Buccaneers. Andrew Purcell got a try and kicked three penalties, Ray Niland added a try and Gerry Hurley kicked two penalties and a conversion in the 27-18 win.

Harlequins beat Lansdowne 13-9 on a sticky pitch and after a tough match to claim fourth place.

Meanwhile, Co. Carlow received a significant boost with only their second win of the season when they proved two strong for Dungannon at Oak Park.

Padraig Brennan gave them an excellent start when he scored an eighth minute try converted by out half Richie Murphy, who also added a penalty. Murphy kicked them into a strong lead with three further penalties while Gareth Steenson was on the mark for the visitors. 19-3 to Carlow at the break.

Steenson kicked two second half penalties but Carlow put the result beyond doubt with a 64th minute try from Andy Melville and a conversion from Murphy.

Gillan Carruthers got a late consolation try for Dungannon.