While slightly off with the boot, Trinity out-half Mark McHugh exploited the Scottish fringe to successfully spark the Irish Universities to a worthwhile win over their Scottish counterparts at Anglesea Road yesterday.
With a stiff wind blowing into Irish faces, the UCC-dominated side rarely looked like conceding ground despite Neil Patterson kicking the Scots into a 3-0 lead after only five minutes.
After two fluffed kicks in difficult conditions, backrow Joe Shine capitalised on a half break from McHugh and grubbed his way over for a try on the 21st minute.
Patterson again kicked the Scots ahead (6-5) and although Ireland largely had their opponents spreadeagled, they lacked the surgical finish at this stage.
The pack showed power and unity, however, and from a scrum on the Scottish line a minute from the break, Ireland heaved their way forward with Donnacha Murphy finally claiming closest contact to the ball. It was winger Rory Collins's sharp approach work that initially set up the try. Colin Healy converted for a 12-6 advantage before adding a penalty four minutes after the restart.
UCD's Ronan McCormack then added a try for 20-6, which wrapped up the game on 57 minutes. Opting to kick to touch for a line-out close to the Scottish line, McCormack subsequently gathered and ploughed over. Scotland replied on the hour when the biggest man on the pitch, Gregor Hayter, made a break from 30 yards out and was left with acres of space to score. But UCC centre Aidan O'Shea found his way over in the corner for a closing try to enhance the Irish victory.
