UUJ ran out victors in this years first ICRU Division1 fixture against the Garda College. In an error strewn first half Garda College landed several penalties to take a 6-3 lead but in the one flowing movement of the game skipper Pete Elliot appeared to be clean through but was surprisingly caught by a Garda College front row forward inches short of the line. From the resultant ruck Mark Riddell drove over for the games first try. The try was converted by Scottie Browne, who had earlier converted a penalty kick. UUJ were then unfortunate to have a try disallowed when Josh Devitt fielded a cross field kick and raced over the try line only to be called back for being in front of the kicker. This seemed to be a misjudgment from the official backed up by the fact that even the Garda supporters admit he wasn't offside. Garda, however replied almost immediately with another penalty to give UUJ a narrow 10-9 half time lead.

The second half started at a greater pace and the referee had obviously decided to blow his whistle 50% less often which allowed both teams the opportunity to play some rugby. It was Garda who struck first with another penalty, but it was from here on that UUJ started to turn on the style and indeed with a player in the sin bin they produced some of there best rugby to score a scorching try from Josh Devitt after great running and support lines from the rest of the backs. This was quickly followed by possibly the best score of the match when after a fluent organised move David McIlwaine received the ball on half way and outpaced and side stepped the covering defence to score a majestic try.

For the next period the game ebbed and flowed with UUJ trying to play a flowing game and Garda using their larger forwards to try and breakdown the UUJ defences. UUJ pressure eventually paid off when Stephen Ferguson, who had came on as a half time replacement, broke through the Garda defence and sprinted clear before off loading to Scott Browne who ran in between the posts to score a well deserved try which he himself converted.

With time running out and another UUJ player sent to the sin bin Garda College pushed hard for a score of their own and this eventually came when their winger pounced on a lose ball to ground it wide out. Garda continued to press for the remainder of the match and UUJ managed to soak up the pressure until the final whistle blew with UUJ finishing 27-17 winners.

This game really picked up after the first 40 minutes and it was evident from the first half that UUJ had never before played with each other in a competitive match. When they organised themselves up front they began to win some quality possession. This allowed the talented backs to fire and use their undoubted pace to seal a memorable victory.

UUC also had a memorable victory in their first match with a comfortable 46-5 victory against Galway Mayo IT. They fronted up to the larger GMIT pack and controlled the game through the backs to produce an impressive win in their first year back in Division 1. Indeed for the first week at least the tide of power seems to be turning as all four sides that were promoted from Division 2 last year produced victories against more illustrious opponents.

Next week UUC face UUJ in an all University of Ulster fixture. This match is important in many respects with the winner taking a major step forward in reaching the League knock out stages and with Ulster Colleges places up for grabs certain players will want to impress.

In the first ever fixture a UUJ 'B' team has played Ulster Jordanstown traveled to Sligo IT and were unfortunately defeated by 15-3. Disappointing as this was it was great to see the squad travel and compete manfully against one of the favourites for the Division 2 crown.

Next week the UUJ 'B's are at home to the newly merged UU Magee/North West Regional College team. This should prove an interesting encounter and one which could go either way.