This fixture was billed by UCC as a Colours Match and also as part of the centenary celebrations commemorating the opening of the Mardyke playing fields in 1911. At the pre-match lunch in the Old College, James Meenan President of UCD Rugby Club presented the President of UCC Rugby Club, Dr David Dorr, with a commemorative bell and an accompanying inscribed brass plate.

Defending the river end Collidge got away to an all-action start and by way of underlining their attacking intentions, James Tracey broke clear of the home defence on the left but was twarted by a good covering tackle.

More attacks followed, and although the greasy ball was difficult to offload cleanly, Andy Boyle made good ground inside the UCC half and after some great work by Captain Brian Cawley, David Lynch popped up to take a pass on 5 minutes and score just to the left of the posts (0-5) .. the try converted by Niall Earls (0 -7).

At this stage UCC were beginning to assert some pressure and on 8 minutes were awarded a 30m penalty which Brian Kingston duly converted (3-7).

As the pitch became heavier due to the incessant rain the play slowed down although Collidge wingers Andy Boyle and Tom Fletcher put in some strong runs stretching the UCC defence

With the home side now struggling against the solidity and strength of the Collidge scrum and with terrific work being done around the fringes by the Collidge back-row of Danny Kenny, David Doyle and Shane Grannell it was no surprise, when with 16 minutes gone, UCC were penalised at a ruck on their 22 which Earlsie slotted over (3-10).

UCC were improving but never got on top for any sustained periodhowever after a succession of lineouts from penalties they would have scored on 42 minutes but for a superb try-saving tackle in the corner by Tom Fletcher.

HALF TIME: UCC 3   UCD 10

Spurred on by the sense of the occasion and the large home support UCC began to build phases and win more possession but were continually frustrated by the Collidge defensive work by, in particular,hooker Risteard Byrne.

On 14 minutes Collidge were rewarded for an effective lineout maul wth a penalty on 30 meters which James Thornton put just narrowly wide. The game was without another score until the 63rd minute when Collidge were awarded another penalty for offside ..... no mistake this time from James (3-13).

With 12 minutes of regulation time remaining UCC were awarded a penalty for not rolling away which was scored by Brian Kingston(6-13)

With Collidge in full control at this stage (75mins) and with little obvious threat from the home side, the UCC centre Gareth O Suilleabhain hacked a loose ball into the UCD half, won the race and hacked again and was now heading for the line in the corner ... he pounced on the loose ball at the corner flag together the UCD defenders and touched down. After a prolonged consultation with his seemingly hesitant touch judgea try was awarded by the referee. (11-13) and then,to the relief of the Collidge players and the sizeable travelling support, the conversion was missed.

For the remaining minutes of play Collidge defended smartly and, when in possession, went through multiple phases and ran down the clock to the final whistle and with that, 4 precious Ulster Bank League points were in the bag.

FULL-TIME UCC 11   UCD 13.

UCD   15 MICHAEL TWOMEY; 14 ANDY BOYLE; 13 ALEX KELLY; 12 DAVID LYNCH; 11 TOM FLETCHER; 10 NIALL EARLS; 9 PETER DU TOIT; 1 JAMES TRACEY; 2 RISTEARD BYRNE; 3 KIERAN MOLONEY; 4 BRIAN CAWLEY; 5 KEELAN MCKENNA; 6 DANNY KENNY; 7 DAVID DOYLE; 8 SHANE GRANNELL;

SUBS (ALL USED) 16 BRIAN HALL; 17 RICHIE BENT; 18 MARK MCGROARTY; 19 ROB SHANLEY; 20 JAMES THORNTON