Logan inspires Mary's to win

It may have been Ladies Day at Templeville Road but St Mary's captain Gareth Logan took centre stage as he bagged a brace of tries in his side's 27-20 victory over UCD.

Mary's recovered from going 10-0 down to ease their relegation worries. Russian-born winger Vasily Artemiev was off the mark early for the students.

But with UCD lock Richie Mandeno in the sin bin, Logan touched down and winger Ronan Doherty followed suit as Mary's led 17-10 at half-time.

The UCD pack eked out a penalty try before out-half Jonathan Sexton, who scored 12 points, made the game safe for the hosts.

Having never lost to UCD in the AIB League and with five league places separating the sides, Mary's came into today's game with a good deal of confidence.

But some very good handling by the students' backs saw them strike first through Artemiev. The former Blackrock College student's try - his second in as many league games - was converted by Ireland Under-20 star Ian Keatley.

UCD did lose their way when Kiwi Mandeno was carded for a ruck infringement and Mary's gained some considerable territory through the boot of Sexton.

Off a close range attack, lock Logan lunged over and after UCD were restored to their full compliment, Doherty benefited from numbers out wide on the left to bag Mary's second try. Sexton, who had tagged on a penalty, converted for a 17-10 score line.

UCD, who were lining out against their former players Stephen Grissing and Richard Sweeney, came out a renewed force for the second half.

They made the hard yards, stringing together a couple of telling phases before the Mary's scrum gave way and handed the visitors a penalty try.

McFadden, who was on the Leinster bench recently, converted and the talented centre flung over a penalty soon after but Mary's had enough in the tank to grind out the club's fourth win in five league clashes with 'College - there has been one draw between the sides.

Sexton slipped his way through two midfield tackles before dotting down his try to take his tally for this season's league to 104 points.

Logan's second effort also went unconverted but it did not matter as the Saints made a significant leap from thirteenth to tenth in the table.