UL Bohs Gain Bonus Point Reward
UL Bohemians made use of a second half wind advantage as they came from behind to beat UCD and strengthen their position in eighth in the AIB League Division One table.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, March 28
UCD 25 UL BOHEMIANS 30, Belfield Bowl
Scorers: UCD: Tries: Cian Aherne, Vasily Artemiev, Noel Reid; Cons: Noel Reid 2; Pens: Ian McKinley, Noel Reid
UL Bohemians: Tries: Richie Feeney, James O’Neill 3; Cons: Fergal Lawlor 2; Pens: Aidan McNulty, Fergal Lawlor
Bohs’ current positioning of eighth place is important as next season the AIB League’s top flight will be split in half, with the leading eight teams at the end of the current campaign going into Division 1A.
Neither side could stamp their authority on this Belfield encounter in the opening half.
The home side were 8-3 to the good at the break, thanks to an inspirational try from Russian-born winger Vasily Artemiev and a penalty from Ireland Under-20 international Ian McKinley.
An Aidan McNulty penalty was all Bohs had to show for their first half efforts but their forwards upped the ante on the restart, pressing UCD back into their 22.
‘College’s defence gave way during a purple patch for the visitors, which included a superb hat-trick of tries from flanker James O’Neill and a bonus point-clinching score from prop Richie Feeney.
Noel Reid, another of the hosts’ Under-20 internationals, kicked a penalty in response before UCD rallied towards the end and collected two late tries, through Cian Aherne and Reid.
The result sees UCD slip down to third-from-bottom and they still have some work on their hands, over the coming weeks, to avoid relegation.