Victory for an impressive Combined Universities side failed to dampen spirits at the Belfield Bowl in last Friday’s centenary match.

A healthy crowd and party atmosphere prevailed at the venue for a celebration of college rugby. And both sides came out to play attacking rugby on a cold, but dry night on campus.

Unfortunately the Paddy Power crossbar challenge failed to send anyone home with €25,000 as despite some excellent attempts, the woodwork proved elusive.Either side of the half-time challenge, the crowd were treated to a fine display from both sides, with the visiting side proving the stronger.Despite being a scratch side with just two days of training together the Combined Universities side gelled well and caused numerous problems for the hosts.It was looking good for Collidge early on, as James Thornton crossed for a try within two minutes, but led by hooker Gareth Megaw the visitors fought back to lead at half-time.And they proved their worth after the interval by running in three tries to UCD’s two as they won pulling up.

The hosts were up and running early on as the newly formed lineout malfunctioned on the edge of it’s own 22, and number 8 Richie Bent reacted quickest to pounce on the ball.Collidge moved the ball to Thornton who grubbered ahead and collected to touch down, adding the extras to give his side an early 7-0 lead.The signs looked ominous for the Combined side, but they regathered and went up the pitch for David Joyce to pull back a penalty after UCD went over the top at the ruck.They then put pressure on as Shane O’Meara knocked on and his opposite number Conor Spence pounced to kick for the corner.

The Combined side mauled the ball towards the line, but the ball spilled out and UCD escaped.Thornton extended the lead to 10-3, but as half-time approached the visitors got over the line and it was Queens hooker Megaw who crashed over from close range in the corner. Joyce missed the conversion, but Megaw crossed again before the break after a host of pick and goes and the pressure finally told.Things got even better for the visitors as replacement Andrew Burke scorched over for a try within two minutes of kick off, before adding the conversion.As College looked to force their way back in, substitute prop Paul Kayariannus intercepted a pass and ran home from the half-way line.Dave McSharry pulled a try back for the hosts, taking a sharp line off a Thornton half-break to scorch over, but UCC’s restored the lead through UCC’s Brian O’Callaghan.Keelan McKenna broke a tackle and went over late on, but the last word went to the victors as William Walsh brought the scoring to a close with an injury time try.

SCORERS:  UCD - J Thornton 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen; D McSharry, K McKenna try each; N Earls 2 cons.

Combined Universities – G Megaw 2 tries, A Burke try, 3 cons; P Kayariannus, B O’Callaghan, W Walsh 1 try each.

UCD – S Gillespie; J Conroy, A Cummiskey (capt) (R Ailwright 60), D McSharry, T Fletcher; J Thornton, S O’Meara; JA Lee, A Pollard, L Hyland; B Cawley, M Flanagan; M Cawley (S Grennal h-t), D Kenny (K McKenna 35), R Bent.

COMBINED UNIVERSITIES – W Walsh (UCC); S Hanratty (DU), C Colclough (DU), J Reekie (QUB) (D Joyce 75), C Quinn (QUB); D Joyce (DU) (A Burke (UCC) h-t), C Spence (QUB) (B Slater (UCC) 60); John Ryan (UCC) (P Kayariannus (QUB) h-t), G Megaw (QUB) (M Murdock (DU) 58), J Gettings (DU, capt); C McDonnell (DU), P Donnellan (UCC); A Mathews (DU), B O’Callaghan (UCC), J Ryan (UCC) (G Crowe (NUIG) 26).

REFEREE – B MacNeice (ARLB).Article by Ruaidhri O'Connor.