Saturday Rugby Round Up

UCC retained their All Ireland League Division 1A status with an impressive win over Old Wesley in the play-off final at the Mardyke as a last minute drop goal earned Munster Juniors a 33-31 away win over Ulster at Ballyclare. A superb performance by UCC saw them brush aside a brave display by Old Wesley before emerging 41-19 victors in a thrilling contest. The hero for UCC was out half James Taylor who landed 21 points with some accurate kicks. Taylor had College in front with a penalty after two minutes but Wesley’s response was quick with former College captain Paul Derham (one of five former UCC players in the Wesley line up) barging over for a Wesley try with Rory Stynes converting. A try from John Poland following a great break by Cian Bohane, a conversion and two penalties had the students 16-7 ahead. Three minutes from half time winger Thomas O’Callaghan scored Wesley’s second try but a try by Rob Hedderman converted by Taylor left it 23-12 at half time. Wesley were camped on the UCC line for the opening minutes of the second half and were awarded a penalty try following successive scrum penalties. That was it from the visitors as tries from Bohane and Michael Clune, a conversion and two Taylor penalties saw the home side run out deserving winners. A drop goal from Ben Ridgeway in added time earned Munster Juniors a 33-31 win against leaders Ulster at Ballyclare to get back in the championship race. Tries from Derry O’Connor, Olan Crowley (2) and Ridgeway along with two Ridgeway conversions had earned Munster a bonus point as they led 24-7 at half time. However Ulster rallied after the break and a fourth try approaching 80 minutes saw the home side lead 31-30. Having earlier kicked two penalties, Ridgeway landed a late drop-goal to seal the victory. With Connacht defeating Leinster 33-31, all four provinces are in contention for the title next Saturday with the final round of games. Munster: Derry O’Connor (Abbeyfeale) capt; Gary Kavanagh (Fethard), Craig O’Connell (Old Christians), Kerry Desmond (Bandon), Keelan Stephenson (Richmond); Ben Ridgeway (Bandon), Brian Bennett (Richmond); Vinny O’Regan (Fermoy), Scott Kingston (Bandon), Cathal Finn (Charleville); Olan Deane (Clonakilty), Brendan Childs (Galbally); Tom Ferguson (Bandon), Darragh Crowe (Clanwilliam), Jamie Kind (Crosshaven). Replacements: Dan Duggan (Skibbereen), Ger McCormack (Thurles, Kieran Shannon (Skibbereen), Sean Walsh (Clanwilliam), Jack Green (Skibbereen), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West), David Breen (Mallow).