'Belvo brush off UCC challenge

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

UCC 3 Old Belvedere 48, the Mardyke

Old Belvedere blasted an under-strength UCC outfit aside at the Mardyke to finish the season as AIB League Division 1B table toppers.

The result means that ‘Belvo qualify for the top flight play-offs, with Templeville Road their next port of call as they take on St. Mary’s College in next Saturday’s semi-finals.

Player-coach Andy Dunne kicked five conversions and a penalty for a 13-point haul in this landslide success.

'Belvo scored seven tries in all, with a brace from New Zealand flanker Jason Risdon. Fellow back rowers Jonathan Slattery and Leo Auva’a also crossed the hosts’ whitewash, along with winger Max Rantz-McDonald, centre John Kennedy and scrum half Chris Keane.

Keane’s Leinster colleague Eoin O’Malley impressed throughout for the Dubliners, with current Ireland Under-20 prop Stewart Maguire adding his weight to a powerful scrum.

UCC, who also had a side competing in this afternoon’s All-Ireland Under-21 final against Lansdowne, lived off scraps of possession and right winger Brian Derham rifled a penalty through the uprights for their only points.

22-3 ahead at half-time, ‘Belvo quickly wrapped up the bonus point and the only matter left to dispute was the winning margin as Phil Werahiko’s men coasted to their sixth successive league victory.

Scorers: UCC: Pen: Brian Derham

Old Belvedere: Tries: Jason Risdon 2, Jonathan Slattery, Leo Auva’a, Max Rantz-McDonald, John Kennedy, Chris Keane; Cons: Andy Dunne 5; Pen: Andy Dunne

HT: UCC 3 Old Belvedere 22