UCD win high-scoring encounter

Blackrock College 29 UCD 38

UCD’s play-off challenge gathered pace at Stradbrook this afternoon as they ran in four tries for a fine victory over their south Dublin rivals Blackrock College.

UCD made the most of a first half wind advantage to race into a 19-0 interval lead with four penalties from Killian Lett (three) and Andrew Cummiskey being followed up by an injury-time try from the latter.

The students made the game safe by the hour mark with touchdowns from wingers Vasily Artemiev and Cian Aherne, although late tries from David Madigan, Alan Henry, Fionn Carr and Des Dillon saw ‘Rock rally and gain a try-scoring bonus point.

UCD’s decision to play with the elements at their backs paid off, although they did take their time about breaking through Blackrock’s stubborn defence.

A ‘Rock pack that included former Leinster duo Dillon and Shane Byrne gnarled away at the visitors in the opening stages and a sole seventh-minute penalty from Lett proved to be the only score of an entertaining first quarter.

The 21-year-old Lett then had 10 minutes in the sin-bin, during which his centre partner Cummiskey took on the kicking duties and he planted a 22nd-minute penalty through the uprights to extend UCD’s lead.

It was more of the same as ‘Rock’s pack gave away some costless penalties as the half wore on and Lett returned to land two successful penalties after 30 and 37 minutes.

With Blackrock losing their tighthead prop Royce Burke Flynn to a yellow card, the icing on the cake for ‘College arrived in injury-time when an expansive back-line move, with Lett and captain Michael Hastings heavily involved, ended with Cummiskey dotting down.

Lett converted to leave ‘Rock trailing by more than two converted tries and it looked like the students were well on course to gain revenge for their 33-7 AIB Cup defeat to the same opposition at Stradbrook a month ago.

Although ‘Rock full-back Fionn Carr did open his side’s account with a 43rd-minute penalty, there then followed an avalanche of UCD points as Lett (52 minutes) and Artemiev (57) both ran in converted tries before pacy winger Aherne got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th minute.

Artemiev’s try was perhaps the best of the match as the Russian-born winger broke past two covering players to score, while Aherne, the former Crescent College pupil, was notably scoring his seventh try of the league campaign.

Predictably enough, this young UCD side then fell off the boil and ‘Rock came more and more into the game.

Helped by the introduction of replacement scrum half Madigan, who came on for Ireland U-20 international David Moore, the hosts sparked into life.

Madigan sniped over for their first time, nine minutes from time. Winger Henry followed suit as he got in on the end of a fantastic 72nd-minute move which started in the ‘Rock half.

Carr’s conversion cut the gap to 38-17 and the full-back himself was next to go over. Second row Dillon secured the bonus point for his side, a minute into injury time, with Carr’s conversion bringing his points haul for the league season to a handsome 120 points.

Scorers:

Blackrock College: Tries: David Madigan, Alan Henry, Fionn Carr, Des Dillon; Cons: Fionn Carr 3; Pen: Fionn Carr

UCD: Tries: Andrew Cummiskey, Killian Lett, Vasily Artemiev, Cian Aherne; Cons: Killian Lett 3; Pens: Killian Lett 3, Andrew Cummiskey