UUC v Grosvenor Gordon West Final

On a very sunny day, great for some running rugby, UUC made the trip down to the home of Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill. UUC faced a difficult challenge ahead, trying to retain the Gordon West trophy against a Grosvenor side that had a huge support, and the students were missing some key players in key positions. They knew though that they deserved to be there as the league title was taken at Grosvenor missing some players too. The game started brightly, both sides attacking and looking to play rugby, but as the clocked ticked on both sides cancelled each other out. Early penalty exchanges by both sides brought the scoreboard to 3-3. Another missed penalty chance by UUC stand in penalty taker Jamie Ball, left UUC level. The game looked set to stay at that score until an overlap and some quick reverse play by the Grosvenor backs enabled them to get in at the corner for the first try of the game just before half time. The conversion was missed, but this score came just at the wrong time for the students. During the first half the UUC didn’t look themselves, and they were determined to rectify that in the second half. UUC came back at Grosvenor, but were unable to find that cutting edge to get past the miserly Grosvenor defence. However, a moment of brilliance and quick thinking by Michael Dunleavy sent prop Jamie Wilkinson down the wing, and bypassing a few tackles, he released winger Matt Hill who was able to finish in the corner. UUC were back in the game at level scores as the conversion was missed. Grosvenor fought straight back, putting together some impressive phases, not letting the students get a sniff of the ball. With some needless back chat to the referee by UUC, Grosvenor took their penalty opportunity and added to the scoreboard. 11-8. Grosvenor were more streetwise for the rest of the game, slowing it down and suffocating any UUC chances. In fact they repeated the feat UUC done at Belmont just over a week earlier. A further Grosvenor try left the students gutted, final score 18-8.

 

UUC couldn’t complete the historic double, but fair play to Grosvenor who deserved to win the trophy as the better team on the day. UUC now move up and onwards into Qualifying League 2. The UUC boys have done tremendous this season lead by Captain Jonathan Brown. The squad is made up of, James Blair, Martin O’Neill, Jamie Wilkinson, John Lutton, Michael Dunleavy, Rory Clifford, Andrew Hassard, Peter Smith, Jonathan Brown, Alan Whitcroft, Tom Kavanagh, Tim Shaw, Matt Hill, Sam Hall, Jamie Ball, Aaron McLaughlin, Nathan McCall, John Dillon, Richard Murphy, Dave Orr, Stevie Brown and Peter McLean.