UUC vs Strabane (Gordon West Semi-Final)

UUC faced their fourth game in 14 days in the Gordon West Semi Final against Strabane. The students didn’t show any fatigue from their mid-week trip to Mallusk, and started impressively. Within the first few minutes, the students were on the score sheet. From a mis-thrown UUC lineout, Rory Clifford collected at the back and made the hard yards, then was able to offload to the oncoming Peter Smith who dived in under the posts, with Alan Whitcroft following up the extra points. Straight from the restart, UUC found themselves in the Strabane half, and from another lineout, Michael Dunleavy was able to find a line through the defence to score. From then on, the Strabane heads dropped, and UUC were able to extend their lead with ease. A further three tries from record try scorer Sam Hall. Alan Whitcroft was then able to follow up with two conversions. This physical encounter was tough, and some students picked up some knocks, but the benefit of the semi-final allowing subs, enabled extended squad to get a run out and rest some players. The half time score was 33-0 to UUC.

The second half, saw a similar performance from the students, with Andrew Hassard having a great game, stealing great ball, and releasing the backs. In the second half, all the subs were used, and this did hinder their performance. Further scores from props Aaron McLaughlin and Jamie Wilkinson and a conversion from Whitcroft added to the scoreboard. Captain Jonathan Brown was also on the score sheet, with a comical swallow dive over the line. Rory Clifford was the last one on the score sheet with a try after being quickest to clean up some loose ball after a Strabane lineout. The performance was exactly what the students wanted, with a difficult final league game away to Grosvenor to claim the title. UUC will now be looking forward to their second Gordon West final, at Ravenhill, in two years. Final score, UUC 57-0 Strabane.