UCD grab first win of AIL campaign

UCD 25, Buccaneers 21

UCD grabbed their first win of the AIL campaign with a nail-biting win over a disappointing Buccaneers side at Belfield.

The Students had the firepower to get back into the game after Justin Meagher’s try and a penalty by David Connellan put the visitors 8-0 ahead after 22 minutes.

A breakaway try by Tom Carter and an injury time score by Gareth Hayes put them 12-11 to the good at the break.

Fullback Alan Henry kicked an early penalty, converted a Phil Bredin try and then added another penalty to put UCD 25-11 in front after 67 minutes before Buccaneers’ late comeback.

David Connellan converted Justin Meagher’s 70th minute try and then landed a penalty to make it 25-21 but Buccaneers couldn’t capitalise on five minuites of injury time pressure.

UCD 25 (T Carter, G Hayes, P Bredin tries; A Henry 2 pens, 2 cons) Buccaneers 21 (J Meagher 2 tries; D Connellan 3 pens, con)

UCD: A Henry; G Hayes, K Kennedy, P Bredin, S McCarron; N McNamara, J Moroney; J Moran, C Geoghegan, I Lynam; C Davis, S Crawford; N Coughlan, T Carter, D Blaney.

Buccaneers: N O’Hara; P O’Sullivan, S Stephens, S Brady, J Meagher; D Connellan, C Keane; A Nash, G Halligan, M Cahill; N Smullen, C Shortt; G Schoeman, E Brennan, D Kelly. Subs: O Grennan for O’Hara (9 mins), W Wallace for Brady (40 mins), C Finnerty for G Schoeman (72 mins).

Referee: C Beverland (URS)

Atttendance: 250

Man of the match: J Meagher