UCC escape with victory over Highfield | Barry Aldworth

UCC 15- 7 Highfield

On Friday October 5, UCC’s Senior men’s rugby team, fresh off the Munster Cup quarter-final win over Old Crescent, squared off with Highfield in a Division 2A league match.

Despite heavy rain threatening to put an end to the match before it could start, following the opening kick-off all ifs and buts were abandoned as both teams began the battle for control of the ball.

UCC began the match as the poorer side, failing to secure possession before giving away two penalties in the first 4 minutes. After kicking the first to touch, Highfield found themselves within scoring range for the second. However, with the conditions far from desirable for kicking Ian O’Donoghue misses the kick, giving UCC the chance to find its footing in the game.

After some sloppy play to begin the match, UCC began to fight back after taking control of the ball following a scrum. Once possession came UCC’s way so too did the scoring chances, and 10 minutes into the match the home side had its first opportunity to go ahead. However, Steve Dinan was unable to put the ball over the bar, and the match remained locked at 0-0.

Following the missed kick momentum swung back Highfield’s way. A knock-on put an end to a UCC scoring opportunity, before a long kick to touch left Highfield deep inside UCC’s 22. However, just as it appeared that the home side were going to fall behind, a great steal by Sean Glynn gave control of the ball back to the home team.

Following a great team move UCC were awarded a penalty on the Highfield 22. Scrum-half Ben Nugent tried to take a quick tap-and-go, but fortunately for UCC, and to the relief of the crowd, the referee failed to notice and, at the second time of asking, UCC chose to take a kick at goal. This time Dinan was successful, and after 26 minutes the game had its first points.

After the penalty UCC began to dominate the match. Just one minute after the first score, a great team move left full-back Joe Holland open in space, before he raced across the line for the first try of the match. Following a successful conversion, UCC held a 10-0 lead, and with fatigue becoming a problem for the Highfield players it seemed as if the match was over.

Following the try both sides exchanged penalties outside of scoring range, before successful play in the ruck left UCC just short of the try-line.  With bodies colliding around him, Peter McCabe received a quick offload, before crossing the line in the corner to extend UCC’s lead to 15. Dinan’s conversion attempt proved to be unsuccessful, which was excusable given the conditions and the length of the kick.

With half-time beckoning UCC went in search of a third try to kill off the game. They were almost rewarded following a great kick over the top of the Highfield defence, but were unable to capitalise, ultimately giving away a penalty which Highfield put to touch to end the first half.

After holding off for the first half, the rain made an appearance before the start of the second, with the change in conditions seemingly suiting Highfield

After a sloppy pass put an end to a UCC scoring opportunity, Highfield began to increase the pressure on UCC in the ruck and in the scrum. Whilst great teamwork almost saw UCC add to the lead mid-way through the second half, the tide began to turn slowly in favour of the away side.

After 70 minutes Highfield created its first true scoring opportunity since the fourth minute penalty, but left the UCC 22 empty handed after giving away a scrum. The close call failed to ignite a UCC team which appeared to be resting on its laurels following the first half.

After two scrums, Highfield pushed their way over the line to secure their first score of the game, after 73 minutes.  Following O’Donoghue’s successful conversion, the gap between the teams was cut to eight points and Highfield went in search of victory.

With two minutes left in the tie Highfield found themselves with a line-out inside the UCC 22. A poorly-placed pass put an end to the scoring opportunity and after UCC capitalised on the loose ball the game, as a contest, was over.

Deep into injury time Highfield were awarded a penalty, and with it the chance to leave the Mardyke with a bonus point. It was not to be, however, as the kick fell short ending the match.

While UCC controlled the first half, the drop off in terms of performance in the second half is worrying. However, with many of the teams top players being rested following the Old Crescent match, the team will still find itself in a strong position when it hosts Cork Constitution in November.

UCC Starting Line-up: Joe Holland, Steve Dinan, Ned Hodson, Cian McGovern, Conor Barry. Kevin Kidney, Ben Nugent, Paul Derham, Cathal Gallagher, Sean Glynn, Dave O’Connell, Brian Quill (Capt.), Dave Hartnett, Brian Vaughan & Peter McCabe

Highfield Starting Line-up: Colm Downes, Paul Stack, Tom O’Callaghan, Ian O’Donoghue, Peter Martin, Mike O’Flynn, Kevin Foley, Richie Moran, Aaron Sweeney, Marc Murphy, Colm Gallagher, Dave Kelly (Capt.), John O’Callaghan, Wayne Falvey, Jason Carton