UCD 15 Clontarf 32
Clontarf got their J1 league Division 1 campaign off to the best possible start with a convincing bonus point win at UCD last Sunday.
The win was built on a dominant scrum for which great credit must be given to the pack who controlled the scrum and not forgetting the backs who turned in a solid performance on the students all weather pitch.
UCD opened the scoring after two minutes after Tarf were penalised at the breakdown and it was 3-0 to the home side.
Tarf played the better rugby throughout and they were rewarded after 20 minutes when powerful prop Vak Abdaladze crashed over the line after a superb run- full back Alan Hughes converted and added a penalty five minutes later to increase the lead to 10-3.
A momentary lapse in concentration allowed UCD to sneak a try just before half time and this went unconverted to leave it 10-8 at the interval. UCD were reduced to 14 men temporarily as one of their players was sent to the bin for transgression in front of the referee.
Clontarf made their opponents pay for their indiscipline pay as they scored a try just before the students were restored to 15, with a fine pushover try to make 15-8, Neill Reilly getting the ball down.
On 55 minutes Tarf scored another try from the replacement hooker Jack Hutchinson again from a lineout- Mark Sutton who took over from Alan Hughes was narrowly off target with the conversion attempt.
Hutchinson was then yellow carded as UCD fought valiantly to get back into the game but Clontarf secured the bonus point with five minutes to go to leave it 25-8.
UCD did get a second try in the last minute but Clontarf were not finished and a superb try in injury time in the corner that was excellently converted by Sutton left the final score at 32-15.
Clontarf’s next fixture is at home to St Mary’s this weekend- the team would certainly value your support!!