Glynn Points The Way For Old Belvedere

In their most recent league outings, these two sides experienced contrasting fortunes. Old Belvedere were staring another defeat in the face at Clontarf last Friday, but having worked their way back into the contest a late drop-goal by full-back Daniel Riordan secured a memorable 20-17 success.
 
UCD were able to emphatise with 'Tarf following this reversal, as they had led table toppers Terenure College by nine points,16 minutes from the end of a home Friday Night Lights tie, before conceding 18 unanswered points to James Blaney's rampant charges.

However, despite returning to winning ways in dramatic fashion, it was the students who made the better start to this round 7 clash. Just two minutes in, Leinster 'A' star Ross Byrne expertly split the posts from a 25-metre penalty.

The excellent Byrne was again at the forefront of the move that led to UCD's lone try. His superb cross-field kick towards the right wing was finished off by winger Sam Coghlan Murray (pictured below) for his third try in two games.

 
The 'Belvo defence had been sucked towards the far side of the pitch and thanks to Byrne's outstanding conversion from the right touchline, they were facing an early 10-point deficit.
 
The hosts responded with great determination, though, and managed to reduce the gap courtesy of a 10th minute penalty from the dependable Glynn.

This was a much-needed boost for 'Belvo following their shaky start and with Michael Oyuga and captain Jonathan Slattery making eye-catching breaks, there was some cause for optimism.
 
Further good work inside the UCD 22 resulted in another penalty 26 minutes in, and Glynn once more was on target from a tricky position on the left. UCD replied by the half hour mark as Byrne's third kick at goal was struck between the posts with consummate ease.
 
The 31st minute sin-binning of hooker Cathal O'Flynn was a further setback for Old Belvedere, but in his absence, their pack coped admirably. Having moved through several phases of play, the ball was transferred back to recent Leinster cap Steve Crosbie, who knocked over a well-taken drop goal.

Crosbie's kick cut the gap for 'Belvo to 13-9 for half-time and with UCD flanker Donagh Lawler receiving a yellow card late on, a crucial half of rugby awaited.
 
'Belvo continued to gain momentum as they engineered a penalty two minutes after the restart. The trusty right boot of Glynn delivered again, which meant that the bare minimum was all that separated the teams.

 
Even though Lawler returned to boost the UCD back row, they found themselves trailing for the first time thanks to Glynn's fourth successful kick in the 53rd minute.
 
Moving into the final quarter, there was a sense that the visitors could be letting the game slip from their grasp, and 'Belvo were looking odds-on to touch down during a long spell of dominance inside the UCD half.
 
They ultimately fell just short of achieving this goal, but a penalty and a yellow card – for UCD's Jordan Coghlan – more than sufficed from their point of view. In bringing his personal tally up to 15 points, Glynn edged 'Belvo even closer to another courageous victory.
 
UCD were still in contention at this stage but Old Belvedere replacement Aaron Sheehan drove over six minutes from time for a converted score, putting the final outcome beyond doubt.

Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)