Trinity lost this AIBL game in the dying minutes when they gave a away a penalty for “hands in the ruck” in another tight encounter in Stradbrook on Saturday in perfect conditions. With a minute of regular time to go, the students looked to have clinched their first league win of the year, it was not to be.

 

Trinity took the game to Blackrock in the opening minutes and out-half Johnny Watt kicked a penalty. Trinity struggled to get any continuity as the home side repeatedly slowed down the ball at the breakdown. The game did not flow at all as the referee whistle dominated proceedings.

 

Blackrock attacked Trinity through several phases but never really looked liked cracking the well-marshalled student defence. Both teams had their moments in the first half but Trinity were the only team to score a try and a fine one it was. The backs moved the ball wide left, and wing Francis Keane broke free. When he was tackled the ball was quickly recycled and moved the width of the field through several pairs of hands (including the two second rows!) and right wing Philly Howard scampered over in the corner for a superb team try.

 

The home team kicked two penalties and the Trinity went into half time 10-6 up. In the second half the students seemed to sit back, a suicidal thing to do on such a slender lead. Blackrock did not seem to threaten as they were pinned back in their own half by some intelligent kicking by Johnny Watt. Trinity second Row Marc Warburton dominated the match in the line outs and at the restarts. Unfortunately disaster struck when Johnny Watt went for a long range drop goal, the ball landed on Leinster wing and the fastest man in Irish rugby Gary Brown (who should have been playing against bath in the European cup). Brown ran from his own line the length of the field to score a magnificent solo try. Trinity were now behind, and attacked hard with ball in hand, Blackrock infringed immediately and Watt kicked another penalty, 13-13.

 

The teams traded two more penalties, before Watt nudged the students ahead 16-13 with another well-taken kick. Another loose kick was severely punished by Blackrock when their full back Leinster U21s Fionn Carr ran back to clinch the lead. Trinity to their credit kept their nerve and Watt kicked another penalty this time at the scrum. 19-18, to the students. ‘Rock’ came back with another multi phase attack but never really looked like scoring a try, as they battered away aimlessly. The Trinity defence always seemed to have numbers which ever way they attacked. Mindlessly the students lost their discipline under no real pressure and the referee was right to penalise for hands in the ruck. Out-half O’Toole gratefully slotted the points for the home side’s second win in two games.

 

The Trinity players were gutted at the finish, as another Division one league game escaped their grasp. They never really hit top form and struggled to find quick ball. The irritating trend of ‘easing off’ when ahead has reared its ugly head again this season a trait that the team and coaches must address.

 

This weekend Irish champions the legendry Shannon with all their contracted Munster players come to College Park for the first time. This will be a huge challenge for the students as the Limerick team have started in fine form winning both their games convincingly.

 

Trinity team; 15 Simon Mitchell, 14 Philip Howard, 13 Brian Hastings, 12 Conor Donohue, 11 Francis Keane, 10 Johnny Watt, 9 Conor McShane (Matt D’Arcy 40), 1 Niall.Conlon, 2 Matt Crockett, 3 Paul Doran Jones (Killian O’Neill 58), 4 Martin Garvey, 5 Marc Warburton, 6 Richie Morrow (Shane Young 58), 7 Hugh Hogan, 8 Darren O’Reilly

 

Other news; Trinity 2^nd XV travelled to Barnhall on Sunday, and came away with a 38-28 win. It was good to see out-half, Trinity stalwart and twice former 1^st XV captainDonal Crotty playing his first game in 10 months after a neck injury. With Donal to the fore the 2nds played some impressive attacking rugby to score six tries, five by the backs. This was a very strong looking 2^nd XV who won their fifth out of six league games. Many players are coming back from injury and competition for places on the 1^st XV is hotting up at last.

 

Trinity U20s started their new league campaign in impressive style with a 67-3 win over Greystones. The injury ravaged student team struggled early on, but in the second half turned on the gas and entertained on ‘parents day’ with some breath taking tries. This game was very well attended by parents of the U20s A and B squads. A lunch was held between the two games yesterday in the pavilion.

 

The U20s B lost a tight game, their first of the season, to Newbridge 24-20. The Bs played all the attacking rugby but lost out to a more cohesive forward pack from Newbridge.

 

See you all next Saturday in College Park to support DUFC against Shannon.