Ulster Bank League: Division 1A Review - TERENURE COLLEGE vs OLD BELVEDERE

TERENURE COLLEGE 24 OLD BELVEDERE 20, Lakelands Park


The basement battle at Lakelands went the way of Terenure College as they outscored Old Belvedere by three tries to two in a 24-20 win.

This was a gripping contest from start to finish, Terenure full-back Jake Swaine converting his own 78th-minute try to secure four very hard-earned points in their bid to avoid relegation. They have pushed three points clear of Belvedere and have just one point to make up on eighth-placed Garryowen.

The home side almost got off to a blistering start, but flanker Stephen Caffrey unfortunately knocked on over the try-line and injured his shoulder in the process.



It was bottom side Belvedere who opened the scoring through Daniel Riordan, the experienced full-back finishing off a break from a ruck in the 19th minute.

Paul O'Keefe converted and also sent a penalty through the uprights, however 'Nure edged their way into a 14-10 interval lead thanks to scrum half Kevin O'Neill's 25th-minute try from a maul and a late penalty try awarded following a collapsed scrum.

'Belvo were first on the board again when the second half got underway, their number 8 Jonathan Slattery touching down before a Swaine penalty levelled matters at 17 points apiece.



The game looked to be going the visitors' way when another penalty from out-half O'Keefe nudged them back in front in the 57th minute. 'Nure, who were able to bring on ex-Ireland international Isaac Boss, had other ideas and despite losing hooker Robbie Smyth to the bin, Swaine's seven-pointer following a Marc Hiney break saw James Blaney's men prevail in a breathless finish.