UUJ Lose Out In Semi Final
UUJ came unstuck in the ICRU Division 1 Semi final hosted at UUJ. Their opponents and current holders were Waterford IT who ensured that they maintained their challenge for their second successive title.
UUJ started of brightly and from good pressure Scott' Lloyd' Browne stroked over a sweetly struck drop goal to give UUJ an early advantage.
The wind was gusting across the pitch which slightly favoured WIT and the outhalf and fullback used the elements intelligently to kick for the corners and keep UUJ on the back foot. After several phases of sustained pressure, which UUJ managed to rebuff, Waterford IT eventaully broke through several weak tackles and looked likely to be in for a certain score. Josh Devitt however sprinted back and managed to tackle the attacker before the line. UUJ seeemed to have thwarted another attack but from the base of the ruck the WIT scrum half threw a dummy which sent all the defenders the wrong way and strolled over from close range for an unconverted score.
UUJ tried to get back into the game but their discipline let them down badly and they kept giving away penalty after penalty from which WIT's outhalf punished them territorially. From another penalty the WIT outhalf struck over a penalty to increase their lead at half time to 8-3.
UUJ started the second half in better fashion and had WIT under pressure for large periods. They were however unable to get over the opposition line and great credit must go to the WIT defence. It looked like it wouldn't be UUJ's day whenever they somehow managed to drop the ball over the WIT try line and although they kept pressing they couldn't get the vital score. WIT then managed to push their way into the UUJ half. It was from a resulting loose lineout that the ball was collected at the back by a WIT backrow player who avoided several attempted tackles to go over for a converted try.
This score again seemed to stir UUJ into action and after camping on the WIT line replacement front row Neil Simpson was on hand to pick up and drive over from close range. Lloyd adding the conversion.
UUJ again pressed but from another stupid penalty for a late tackle WIT's kickers again punished them and from a period of pressure they conceeded another resonably soft score. With the score at 22-10 in WIT's favour all seemed lost but from a high kick Andy Kerr surged forward in his own half before passing to Matthew Irvine, Irvine made ground before releasing the ever supporting Ali Birch who showed excellent pace to finish off a great try. Lloyd took a quick conversion but unfortunately for UUJ time was not on their side and the match finished 22-17 in WIT's favour.
Although Waterford looked more organised and fully deserved their victory UUJ have to feel disappointed with the result as they certainly didn't play to their potential. Their discipline let them down badly and they didn't take advantage of chances when they were close to the WIT line. UUJ had to work extremely hard for their scores whereas they handed WIT's some of their tries on a plate due to poor discipline and sloppy defence. Taking all that into consideration it has been quite a successful season for UUJ where they finished their league campaign undefeated and reached the semi finals in only their second year in Division 1. The fact remains however that this was probably a chance wasted.
Upfront Irvine and Birch had big games and in the backs Devitt and McIlwaine showed moments of class.
UUJ RFC would now like to wish Waterford IT all the best in the Final.
