After a reasonably even opening few minutes, Tir Chonaill were second best to a Uni side who played the conditions perfectly. Time and again, the Uni kickers pinned Tir Chonaill back deep in their own half and seemingly executed their tactical plan perfectly, daring them to run from deep. Tir Chonaill could barely get out of their own half and the home side enjoyed a glut of possession which they made good use of. Wave after wave of attack smashed into the Tir Chonaill defence and, although every player tackled manfully, something had to give sooner or later.
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A significant penalty count against the Black and Whites didn’t help nor did a lineout which misfired on occasions. Tir Chonaill just couldn’t get into the game, they are however a developing side, which show great signs of promise. As a result, the home side were dominant and, with Tommy McLaughlin once again pulling the strings in expert fashion, Uni were good value for the win and Tir Chonaill could have few complaints. There were odd flashes of hope but the ball never quite went to hand or was turned over and there wasn’t even the bonus of a consolation score.
Conditions had looked good in the run up to kick off but, just before the teams appeared, the heavens opened. What effect would it have? Both teams started in positive fashion despite the slippery ball, the Uni Scored in the first 10mins of the game from stolen lineout in the Tir Chonaill 22 set up good field position and the home side looked the stronger as Uni forwards looked for quick ruck ball for the backs and they made no mistakes as they went 7-0 after nine minutes. Uni responded well from the kick off and had a couple of good attacking positions but lost control of the greasy ball in contact and Tir Chonaill were quick to snaffle possession.
It was fairly helter skelter stuff and there was little room to move in midfield with Richard Murphy in particular flying up in defence to make tackles. Along with Jamie Ball at full back little got past the uni defensive back 3.The second try scoring chance was on 20 minutes as Murphy sprinted through on to a measured grubber kick from Tommy McLaughlin. He controlled the hack on but knocked on the act of stooping to pick up the ball and score. It was a let off for Tir Chonaill, much of the play was in the Tir Chonaill half at this point but the defence was committed and tackles were being made. Possession was needed, however. Uni finally broke through on 25 minutes. Tommy switched play to the blindside where Murphy and Ryan Gilmore combined to draw the last man and sent the uni full back Jamie Ball scooting down the 5 metre channel and over for the try. Murphy missed the conversion 12-0.
The away side had their tails up and David McMenemy had to scramble back to deny Tir Chonaill’s winger a chance after a powerful break from his own half. The solid scramble defence saw the Uni lads play the ball back up to the Tir Chonaill 22 they were now struggling to get a foothold in the game. Any possession they got was received deep in their own half and they were limited to kicking and chasing. On the contrary, Uni looked lively and confident at half time. 12-0
Early in the second half, another squandered lineout then cost Tir Chonaill as Joe McKinney nick the lineout ball, fed to Jeremy Gregg who fed blind side wing forward Ricky Boyd a lovely ball taking out several defenders, and with quick ball saw the uni winger McNenemy going over in the corner. 17-0
It had been gallant defence but Tir Chonaill cracked again on 55 minutes. Tommy worked his magic in midfield and sent Murphy crashing into the 22. Quick ball then had Tir Chonaill outnumbered and Murphy recovered well to dive over in the corner. Murphy converted from the touchline for a 24-0 lead. Uni were rampant and Tir Chonaill seemingly on the ropes and another catch and drive quickly produced the fourth try. Boyd was again involved in the interplay along with Number 8 Kyle Hetherington which saw Prop Scot ‘Randy’ Stevenson head over in the corner for the try, conversion missed. 29-0
And, if ever any moment summed up The Uni’s day, it was in the last 10mins minute when McMenenmy benefited from a Tir Chonaill mistake as they kicked wildly, he caught the ball on the 10metre line and beat the defensive line to make it into the corner for his 3rd try, conversion missed 34-0. Then 2 mins later saw some great interplay with forwards and backs unleashing centre Ryan Gilmore into the corner for the final phase of the game and scoring in the corner, conversion kicked by the ever impressive Jamie Ball, 41-0 Final score.
Man of the match went to the very impressive debutant of David McNenemy who had an excellent day on the wing.
