TRINITY STOP HIGHFIELD'S WINNING RUN!!
21/03/2009
Trinity 29pts – Highfield 11pts. Trinity hosted their Cork rivals Highfield on the rock hard surface of College Park on Saturday. Highfield arrived in Dublin very confident, after putting together an unbeaten seven game run since mid December. The home team themselves have been in good form dropping only one game since Christmas. It was Trinity who got off to a dream start scoring three tries in the first 20 minutes. The first try was after several quick phases when centre Richard Brady broke the line to switch with (captain for the day) full back Paul Gillespie into space. Gillespie in turn switched with wing Chris Jebb who scored in the corner for a superbly worked try. Highfield kicked a penalty. Soon after, Trinity scored again through Chris Jebb after a well worked back row move. Unfortunately Jebb pulled his hamstring in scoring the try. Richard Brady coolly converted from the touch line to give the students a 19-3 lead. Three minutes later, #8 Brian Coyle broke the defence to link with flanker Johnny Iliff who in turn put big second row Pat Danahy away for a superb run, for his third try in two weeks. Highfield scored another penalty just before half time to close the score to 19-6 at the break. In the second half Highfield showed why they have been in such good form lately. They ran well and managed to put some excellent continuity together. They scored a try out wide to close to 19-11. This seemed to awake the students who took the game back to their opponents. They dominated territory and possession for the rest of the game. The game was put beyond doubt when Richard Brady apparently walking up to take a kick for goal, noticed the Highfield defence not paying attention. He tapped the ball to himself and breezed in for an opportunist try under the posts. This was followed by more pressure on the visitor’s line from Trinity and out-half Dave Joyce cheekily kicking a drop goal that barely got over the bar! This was a good win for Trinity who can thank the forwards for this one. The forwards dominated play in all facets against a far bigger and experienced unit. Next week Trinity host Instonians in College park 2.30pm KO. The visitors will have Trinity rugby icon and out- half for the past four years Johnny Watt in their ranks. 15 Paul Gillespie, 14 Chris Jebb, 13 Conor Colclough, 12 Richard Brady, 11 Neil Hanratty, 10 David Joyce, 9 Eddie Hamilton, 1 Colm Goode, 2 Mark Murdoch, 3 James Gethings, 4 Pat Danahy 5 Scott LaValla, 6 Eddie Molloy, 7 John Iliff, 8 Brian Coyle. In other news; Trinity 2nd XV continued there impressive run of wins in the J1 league with a hard fought 28-17 win at Barnhall. Down 8-0 in the first half the students put their game together to pull the game out of the fire. The 2nds must now keep concentration, they have two home games against Naas and UCD to win the J1 league. Trinity U20s pennant team went down 16-3 to Bective in the semi final of the JP Fanagan league in Donnybrook on Friday night. In a very tight game which on full time was only 10-3 to the home team. This has capped a fine season for the U20s B (who were playing Bective’s first string) The team still have the Cup to look forward to and can look hopefull to more success. Trinity Ladies XV had a storming cup win over Newbridge 51-0 in College Park on Sunday. This was a great win for the Ladies XV who have worked hard this season to put together a new look squad. Congratulations to players and coaches.

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