Dublin University Defeat ‘Quins To Move Up To Fourth

In-form Dublin University leapfrogged Buccaneers into fourth place in Ulster Bank League Division 1B courtesy of a well-judged 14-point triumph over Belfast Harlequins at College Park.

Belfast Harlequins, who are now seven points adrift at the foot of the table, have an incredible 22 players out injured at present and it is really taking a toll on their performances and results.

In a stop-start first half, a penalty and drop goal from Trinity out-half Jack McDermott provided the difference on the scoreboard – 6-0. The students pressed for a try on the stroke of half-time but stout defending from the visitors kept them out.

On a glorious late October day, both teams came out to play open rugby but neither really took the game by storm. Tony Smeeth's home team were error prone and struggled to get the tempo and continuity that their game demands.

Nonetheless, a yellow card for 'Quins captain Neil McComb left his team-mates under severe pressure and the tries duly came for Trinity.

After another McDermott penalty, returning centre Seb Fromm broke through to make it 14-0. Former captain Paddy Lavelle ran a nice trail line off scrum half Angus Lloyd, and he, in turn, put his midfield partner over for the game's opening try.

Number 8 Tom Ryan then crossed the whitewash with 10 minutes remaining. The fast-breaking Fromm charged through before being tackled short of the line. Lavelle carried on the attack before Ryan manged to dive over from close range.

Although Kingsley McGowan's sin-binning invited the Ulstermen forward with replacement Mark Foster bagging two late tries, full-back Conor Kearns sandwiched in a third for Trinity to make sure of the win.

The students put together some impressive continuity, moving the ball wide right to American international Tim Maupin. They then recycled the ball and moved it out to the left flank where Kearns dummied his way through at pace to score a superb touchdown.

With the try-scoring bonus point now in sight, Trinity failed to nail the vital score. In fact, it was the visitors who had the final say as Foster completed his brace in the very last play.

The conversion was added by full-back Rory Scholes, who started for 'Quins along with fellow Ulster representatives Ricky Lutton, Frankie Taggart, McComb and young scrum half Connor Young.

Adam Larkin's bottom side are at home to Shannon in round 7 next Saturday, as they look to end their six-match losing streak, while Trinity are on the road to mid-table Dolphin.

Referee: Barrie O'Connell (IRFU)