UCD …………………… 13
Old Belvedere …………. 25
Jack Power, unhealthy 15/11/2014
Collidge faced Old Belvedere in a tough clash of two big rugby teams, placed 6th and 7th in the Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League. The game unfurled in Old Belvedere’s home ground at Anglesea Road. Collidge were playing off the back of a disappointing defeat to Terenure in the league. Despite a strong performance, Collidge lost, with Old Belvedere simply out-powering them on the ground and in the breakdown.
UCD took an early lead, with out-half Ross Byrne kicking a penalty. They took the game to Belvedere, with centre Garry Ringrose continually breaking the line and looking lethal. Collidge’s sharp passing moves threatened Belvo, and the students scored an early try. A fantastic cross-field kick from no. 10 Byrne set up an alert Coughlan-Murray to score a shock try in the corner. Byrne culminated the move by adding the conversion to take Collidge ten points clear of a scoreless Belvedere.
Belvedere looked uneasy in passing, and more comfortable in running the ball with their strong individuals. Collidge exploited this well, with a high-pressure rush defense. Yet Belvedere force their way back into the game, with out-half Glynn kicking two penalties. They took advantage of a lax Collidge period in the game and imposed their physical game plan. The lull in attacking moves lead to a fierce contest of rucks, scrums and mauls in the centre of pitch. Collidge failed to make any more in-roads into Old Belvo’s half with their quick attacking game, UCD kicker Byrne could only add another penalty to bring Collidge’s tally to 13 points. The first half ended with Old Belvedere testing Collidges defensive metal with a crash ball game. Yet the Students held firm and Belvo had to settle for a well taken drop goal to end the half at Collidge 13 – Old Belvedere 9.
Old Belvo opened the second half by drawing another penalty in the breakdown from UCD, bringing them to 12 points. Collidge started the half charged however, and took the fight to Belvo. The back three characteristically lead the blues drive, with fullback Dardis cleaving through the panicked Belvedere defense. Belvo showed their experience, in holding off Collidge and taking another 3 points from a penalty up the pitch. The score at the penultimate stage was Collidge 13, Old Belvedere 15. Collidge began to be frustrated, as Belvedere broke down their free flowing attacking game effectively. Belvedere’s experience in the breakdown allowed them to continually draw penalties from a young UCD side.
Belvedere turned the tide of the game their way in the crucial point in the 2nd half. Their brutal intensity saw them heave within inches of the Collidge try-line several times. From this position of dominance they forced a UCD player to the sin bin, and Belvo kicker Josh Gylnn found the posts again from the subsequent penalty. Collidge found themselves down by 18 points to their 13. UCD responded well, throwing everything at the wall of black and white Belvedere shirts. It was Old Belvedere however who struck the hammer blow of the game. Aaron Sheehan broke through UCD’s line to surge over for a converted try. With the game at 25 to 13, Collidge’s attacks spiraled to desperation – but Belvedere held stalwart and firm until the final whistle.
On Belvedere’s home ground, Collidge were reduced to a physical and primal game. Belvo did well to stop UCD playing their high-flying attacking game. The game was one and lost in the mucks of the breakdown, where Old Beldevere’s expertise proved too much for the young Collidge side.
UCD Starting XV
1. G. Frayne.
2. R. Byrne.
3. L. Hyland
4. G. Thornbury
5. E. Mac Mahon (c)
6. J. Coghlan
7. D. Lawler
8. P. Timmins
9. N. Mc Nulty
10. R. Byrne
11. A. Byrne
12. H. Mc Nulty
13. G. Ringrose
14. S. Coughlan-Murray
15. B. Dardis
