TRINITY WIN IN BELFAST!
18/02/2012

Queens University 6pts – Trinity 20pts;                                            

Trinity travelled north to Ulster for the first and only time this season. They were greeted by the spectacular new arena/stadium at Dub lane. Unfortunately the weather was windy and cold with the odd sleet shower which made the ball greasy on a grassy surface.

The game was a battle between 1^st and 3^rd in the League and the home team had to win to stay in touch for a promotion spot. Both teams attacked early trying to use the ball but due to the freezing like conditions they both struggled to retain the ball and pressure the well organised defences. The teams kickers, Trinity out half Dave Joyce and last season’s Irish U20s Out-half James McKinney,  swapped two penalties apiece in a tough physical first half.

Into the wind in the first half Trinity did create some chances, but failed to see them through with some poor execution on two instances, and a last ditch tap tackle which looked  to prevent a certain score for Trinity wing Niyi Adeolokun.

In the second half playing with the strong wind Trinity forwards took over the game. They used the wind to get position and then squeezed the Queens well coached attack. Trinity defence has been good all year, but they took it to another level on Saturday as they displayed great patience and eventually would turn the ball over themselves.

Queens tended to get isolated at the breakdown and the referee punished them for holding on. Dave Joyce kicked another penalty to give the visitors the lead, and then the forwards in two line outs went 50 metres to score. They went 40 metres on the first drive and got a penalty and then drove it in from 10 metes out to take themselves to more than one score game.

The game continued in a similar fashion, as Queens were forced to bravely run from deep, the Trinity defence always seemed to have numbers and eventually would reclaim the ball. Joyce kicked another penalty to close out the scoring.

This was an impressive result for the students who beat a team who have not lost at home for nearly two years.  They now have another free weekend  for the Ireland/Italy game before hosting more Ulster opposition Instonians in College Park on March 3  ………………………….

                      Division 2 League table;

                                              Pld W D L   PF        PA   pts                        

1		Dublin University	11	10	0	1	216	-95				43
2		D.L.S.P.	11	7	0	4	251	-180				34
3		Seapoint	11	7	0	4	225	-217				32
4		Queens University	11	6	0	5	256	-156				31
5		Malone	11	6	0	5	240	-172				31
6		Greystones	11	7	0	4	236	-205				31
7		Bective Rangers	11	7	0	4	208	-160				30
8		Corinthians	11	6	0	5	182	-148				29
9		City of Derry	11	6	0	5	258	-261				28

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