Quins arrived at the Belfield Bowl on a dry, cloudless but crisp Hallowen Saturday. The gentle diagonal flicker of the flags gave neither side any significant advantage. Many will have remembered the last visit 3 seasons ago, when an injury time penalty from the 10 metre line snatched Division 1 status from Quins. Quins still were without Gareth Rourke and Niall Annett, both of whom should be able to play in our next match. Danny Annett moved up to the second row while Stuart Leckey started his second match at hooker.
The game was preceded with “a one minute silence” in recognition of the sad deaths during the week of our old friend and second row Cois Beukes, and Terry McCaw’s son Robbie.
Quins started off with conviction, and after a few bursts towards the UCD line, the elusive Michael Heaney bamboozled the UCD defence before passingto the unmarked Andrew Gillespie on the UCD 22 . G galloped over the line for an excellent opening try.
The wide-out conversion was missed, but Quins made a mess of the kick-off. UCD moved the ball to their majestic No 12 who glided through a midfield gap to cross the line and bring the score to 5 – 5. (with the conversion again missed) Not long afterwards Quins conceded a penalty on the half-way line and their No10 put the ball between the posts for UCD to lead 8 – 5.
On 20 mins, a Quins movement to Matt Holmes on the right saw the left winger John Higgins take an inside pass from Matt to cross 10 m from the RH Touchline. UCD 8 – Quins 10.
After further Quins pressure, on the half-hour, UCD broke away and a right to left movement saw a try for UCD left wing. The conversion put UCD 15 – 10 up, and a further penalty near the Quins posts extended UCD’s lead to 18 – 10.
At 40 mins, with Quins now exerting pressure on UCD, Michael Allen broke away, chipped ahead and regained the ball to score near the corner. Michael Heaney’s conversion left the score at UCD 18 – Quins 17, and all to play for. However, just when it looked that the worst position Quins might have been was a single point behind, the referee, strangely, continued injury time for a grand total of 12 minutes, and with the final move of the half, a long pass to their right wing saw UCD extend their lead to 25 – 17 at halftime.
It could be said that if our kicks at the posts had been successful we would have still been ahead. However, Michael Heaney was striking the ball beautifully, but some invisible hand between the uprights seemed to be turning the ball round the posts.
The first 15 minutes of the 2nd half saw relentless pressure from Quins, but frustratingly brought no change in the score. Then, on 17mins, as Quins threw the ball about, a break-out by UCD saw a multi-passing move end with a try . Quins had scarcely recovered from this set back when 2 mins later another breakaway from their own half saw a further UCD try leave the score at UCD 37 – Quins 17.
Quins hopes now appeared to be in tatters, but they again put more pressure on UCD and an old fashioned maul saw Tim Morton driven over the line, to bring Quins to 24 – with Michael Allen’s conversion and the consolation of a 4 try bonus point.
Unfortunately, again, injury time saw UCD run in 2 tries from far out and leave the final score at UCD 47 – Quins 24.
Amazingly, despite the final score, Quins played a major part in the entertainment, and “enjoyed” a territorial advantage. For Quins supporters, the match was terrifyingly open. To the neutral, it was a spectacular demonstration of running rugby, peppered with wonderful tries. However, it has to be said, that on a number of occasions Quins lost their own line-outs and scrums while attacking within 5 metres of the UCD line.
Equally, a number of UCD breakaways were the result of missed tackles on the first ball-handler. There is an old adage that if you wish to stop a skier coming down a hill, do so within the first 2 yards or you will have a serious problem (to say the least!!). A second issue appeared to have been the eclective porosity in our defensive system – which was at odds with the commendable efforts that the individuals were putting in.
Our Coaches, Adam and Doc, may have been holding their hands in their heads at the end, but there were many aspects of Quins play which were pleasing. Our enthusiasm, attitude and skill is now greatly improved. Any kicking to our back 3 was fielded without a tremor and was run back agressively at UCD. In open play, Mark Kettyle put considerable distance, and accuracy, on his attacking punts. Again, both centres looked threatening. We scored some excellent tries, and, amazingly, could have had at least 2 more.
However, UCD are a well groomed side whose handling was impeccable and who ran everything back at us with brilliant support play. They now deservedly move into 2nd place in the table.
We look forward to our next match versus Old Wesley at Deramore on Saturday week, 13th November.
Team: Miles O’Hagan, Matt Holmes, Michael Allen, Willie Stewart, John Higgins, Mark Kettyle, Michael Heaney, Robert Logan (c), Stuart Leckey, Mark McGrath, Neil McComb, Danny Annett, Alistair Heatlie, Andrew Gillespie, Alistair Scott.
Replacements (all used): Austen Blackburn, Tim Morton, Callum Lecky, Rory Blake-Knox, David Creighton
P.S. I think it is also befitting to acknowledge the most warm, generous, attentive and helpful welcome presented to the Quins supporters by the UCD alikadoos. They are a great credit to their team and College, and a fine example for us all.
P.P.S. It was also nice to see, among others, former Irish internationals and UCD legends Kevin Mays, Al Moroney, Aidan Brady and Jimmy Kelly, out and about and still supporting their old team.
