UCD had the measure of local rivals Old Belvedere for the third time in recent weeks, as a three-try salvo steered the table-topping students to a terrific 23-6 victory at Anglesea Road.
Ireland Under-20 prop Andrew Porter raced clear in the final play to seal UCD's fifth win on the trot, adding to their Ulster Bank League and Leinster Senior League Cup final successes against 'Belvo from last month – 20-12 at Belfield and 23-13 at Donnybrook.
The students won possession from the kick-off and after building the phases, out-half Liam Bourke converted a penalty in the fourth minute. Belvedere replied eight minutes later, their first foray into the UCD half drawing an offside and Leinster's Steve Crosbie sent his kick through the uprights.
However, College continued their dominance of general play with the pack providing good quality ball for the always lively Jamie Glynn, who started at scrum half in place of Nick McCarthy who appeared off the bench for Leinster against Connacht.
In the 20th minute, and after a couple of impressive carries from Porter, excellent flanker Peadar Timmins chose a great line to join the attack and shot through a gap to touch down to the right of the posts. Bourke's conversion made it 10-3.
On a rare visit to the UCD 22 in the 28th minute, Belvedere won a penalty which Crosbie converted. More pressure from the hosts close to the try-line saw 'Belvo reduced to 14 men but Noel McNamara's youngsters failed to score from this particular purple patch.
Crosbie was also left to rue a penalty miss on 39 minutes which would have made it a one-point game. Right on the stroke of half-time, a scorching run from Barry Daly almost yielded a try but 'Belvo were penalised at the ensuing ruck and Bourke kicked the three-pointer for a 13-6 interval scoreline.
'Belvo improved their share of territory for the second period but failed to add to Crosbie's first half haul. Skillful and disciplined College defending nullified the renewed threat from the hosts, with timely turnovers from key forwards Porter, Sean McNulty, Timmins and Brian Cawley.
Five minutes in, one such turnover and carry from Timmins put Daly away and the tall winger ghosted past the covering defender to score his seventh league try in the corner. Bourke missed the conversion this time.
A yellow card for UCD flanker Josh Murphy put the visitors under huge pressure but their defence stood firm and won vital turnovers and relieving penalties.
In the 76th minute, a quick tap penalty and sprint through the cover by Belvedere's nippy scrum half Charlie Rock had try written all over it, before Daly came from nowhere to put in a try-saving tackle and again the lines were cleared.
Another Crosbie penalty sailed wide before man-of-the-match Porter picked up a loose ball on halfway and with the entire 'Belvo back-line already pushed up, he sprinted clear for a great try in the dying seconds.
Porter and his team-mates are now three points clear at the summit following Clontarf's loss away to Garryowen, who are the visitors to Belfield next Saturday.
Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
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