The disparity in the score-line in no way flatters Terenure College, comprehensive victors in last night's Kitty O'Shea Leinster Championship semi-final. Two late UCD tries were scant consolation for an unproductive 80 minutes.
The contrast in physiques, most notably up front, allowed Terenure to manipulate their opponents at set pieces, spoiling UCD out of touch and generally dominating in the tight. Given an ideal platform, the winners should really have performed more capably than they did for long periods.
Handling errors and an over-reliance on the physical approach allowed the Students greater latitude than they deserved and offered an escape route from an even bigger mauling.
The fare was generally sloppy: UCD frequently transgressed, killing ball and living offside, while Terenure, at times, appeared more vulnerable with possession than without.
Terenure dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead on five minutes through a penalty from out-half Craig Fitzpatrick. But it was not until the 21st minute that they increased their advantage. Once again the pack laid the groundwork, forcing their way to within metres of the UCD line.
The first scrum collapsed, and when a second crumpled in similar fashion, referee Alan Lewis trotted between the post to award a penalty try. Fitzpatrick converted, as he would do again six minutes later.
Ciaran Clarke set up good field position with a fine penalty kick to touch, eight metres out. Colin Potts secured the lineout, the pack drove him to within inches of the line and Niall Hogan burrowed under two despairing tackles.
UCD were reduced to the occasional foray into Terenure territory but lacked the potency and composure to breach their opponents' defence, slewing sideways rather than testing the tackle.
The interval provided little respite as Terenure grabbed a third try through Colin Potts: a lineout was once again the foundation for the final surge.
Fitzpatrick hit the post with the conversion, but was more accurate 11 minutes later when adding the extra points to a try from number eight Gavin Hill.
The Students made several substitutions and this seemed to give them a little impetus, reflected in a try from centre Paddy Hickey-Dwyer.
Philip Bredin converted and UCD, to their credit, continued to press, eventually earning a second try. It was the outstanding score of the evening through captain Gordon Cantwell, who raced 40 metres to finish close to the posts. Bredin could not improve upon the score.
Terenure will now play Clontarf in the final at Donnybrook on Sunday (2.30).
Scoring sequence: 5 mins: Fitzpatrick penalty 3-0; 21: penalty try, Fitzpatrick conversion, 10-0; 27: Hogan try, Fitzpatrick conversion, 170. 49: Potts try, 22-0; 60: Hill try, Fitzpatrick conversion, 29-0; 65: Hickey-Dwyer try, Bredin conversion, 29-7; 78: Cantwell try, 29-12.
Terenure: C Clarke; D Coleman, B Treacy, M Smyth, R Browne; C Fitzpatrick, N Hogan; K Coleman, J Blaney, J Campbell; M Quinn, C Potts; P O'Malley, G Hill, B Kavanagh. Replacements: R Sheriff for Quinn (h-t); S Cullen for Smyth (67 mins).
UCD: D Kearney; S Doggett, S Moore, P Hickey-Dwyer, H McMahon; P Bredin, K Phillips; M Moynagh, D Blaney, R McCormack; G Lloyd, D Broughall; P McCarthy, J Morrissey, G Cantwell (capt). Replacements: H Coughlan for Morrissey (h-t); P Callanan for Lloyd (53 mins); A Bainbridge for Phillips (53 mins); J Lane for Blaney (55 mins).
Referee: A Lewis (Leinster).
Scott Quinnell's appeal against his 14-day Rugby Football Union suspension will be heard next Tuesday. The announcement gives the Lion formal clearance to play for Wales against world champions South Africa at Wembley on Saturday.
The Richmond forward wrote to Twickenham explaining that his wife Nicola is due to give birth to their third child tomorrow and asked for the hearing to be put off.
Wales coach Graham Henry has praised the RFU's decision as being "very sensible".
"I appreciate it, this a very sensible decision all round," said Henry who had been confident of Quinnell making the starting line-up, having abandoned his back row contingency plans.
Quinnell was sent off for late tackle on England captain Lawrence Dallaglio when Richmond beat Wasps in an Allied Dunbar Premiership match last month and a two-week suspension was imposed before Quinnell lodged his appeal.
