College Tribune | October 28th 2008
Sport
23
We just ‘Rocked you UCD Blackrock College
10 6
UCD Bowl
■ Ben McCormack Blackrock’s undefeated run came to a startling end in the Belfield Bowl on Saturday afternoon, thanks largely to resolute defending by the home team . The visitors who have had two players score hat tricks in their last three games went down 10-6 to College in a stunning contest. The conditions were less than favourable for the free attacking rugby style that the Blackrock team has been famed for in the early stages of this years AIL, with strong winds blowing down the park and rain sheeting down for most of the match. With this came an edgy and nervous encounter, both sides looking for mistakes rather than space to capitalise on. On the injuries front, UCD were without their starting fly-half and captain, Michael Hastings who is yet to recover fully from the injury he received against Cork Constitution two weeks ago. ‘Rock were also lacking their try scoring winger par excellence, Shane Monaghan, who has scored five tries in his last three matches for the club. On the last occasion the two sides met they racked up a total of 70 points between them, but today was a different story entirely. Blackrock kicked off into the wind and the ball was quickly returned by UCD with a good kick to the 22 metre line by Neil Cowhey. The Students remained
in or around the ‘Rock half for the next twenty minutes but the territory was nothing without possession and they failed to capitalise on the pressure they showed. It wasn’t until the 26th minute that the Blackrock defence finally broke, giving Fergus McFadden, the College number 13, a chance to kick at goal, which he coolly slotted home. The attempts by both teams to run the ball and spread it wide were admirable but overall somewhat pointless, leading to many mistakes and inexcusable turnovers in promising positions. The conditions played havoc with the kickers and McFadden missed a 43 metre kick just past the half-hour mark. Only a minute later McFadden was binned by the referee for hands in the ruck, an offense that College had previously been warned about. Good defence from the resulting line-out rewarded College with a turnover but the wayward clearance kick left the field open for the electrifying Blackrock number 11 Gary Brown, who is also on the Leinster panel, who ran for over 25 metres before he was tackled. Again persistence
paid off for UCD and the danger was averted. Even though there were these glimmers of hope by both sides it was a scrappy half with balls not going to hand and runs being broken up by knock-ons’, as well as penalties for both sides. UCD fullback Simon Gillespie’s attempt at a 50 metre kick fell well short and the same was true of Blackrock’s flyhalf Darragh Fitzpatrick. The one man advantage began to tell before the half finished, with Gillespie called in to make a try saving tackle and the forwards organising some really strong fringe defence. The half ended with College leading 3-0. The second half was a similar story of scrappy play but early infringements by UCD allowed Blackrock an early penalty attempt, which Fitzpatrick gladly took, tying the game up at 3-3 on 46 minutes. However the introduc-
tion of Niall Kearns at inside centre and Killian Lett moving into the number 10 spot gave the College a new lease of life. Lett moved the ball well from first receiver and began to find spaces for runners, most notably McFadden. The breakthrough came after 15 minutes of constant pressure on the ‘Rock defence when Lett darted past the line and managed to off-load it out of the tackle to Kevin McLaughlin in support, who had a clear run for the try line. A simple conversion for McFadden underneath the posts and College lead by 10-3. On the 70 minutes mark, ‘Rock got another penalty attempt which Fitzpatrick again made cutting the lead to 4 points with mere minutes remaining.
From that point on it was all about the big tackles. Throughout the constant pressure College stood firm, rarely having their line troubled. Another wayward attempt by Fitzpatrick marked the end for Blackrock as they could not break through the UCD line for the try. College continued to put in the hits and were nearly rewarded with a try as a pass being intercepted by the replacement Kearns, who just lacked the speed for a try. Overall and considering the conditions this was a solid performance by UCD who racked up their first win of the season with the star player being Killian Lett. The performance raises them from 15th to 13th in the table.