Match Report - Men's 1st XV v QUBRFC

It was the final round of block 1 and the battle in Dub Lane was between two sides in desperate need of a win to kick start their season. This is a venue Rock have struggled to find performances in the last couple of seasons and knew this had to change if they were to beat an Ulster academy laden Queens side.

Both sides traded blows early on but neither could land the killer punch. The hosts opted to take 2 kickable penalties when the opportunity arose whereas the Rock handling was letting them down at critical times. In fact all of the action happened within 5 minutes either side of the half time break. Trailing by 6, Rock went on the attack. Mangan and Galvin found a bit of space before Coffey then took a snipe. His reverse pass back to Mangan split the Queens defence and it was a walk in finish for the soon to be elected man of the match Mangan. From the resulting kick off, Matthew McCarthy regathered and set off from his own 22, he brushed aside the first two tackles with ease before being halted by the third and fourth. The crowd were expecting a ruck to form, but not McCarthy, he continued through the defence leaving himself 2 on 1 with the full back. He managed to compose himself and find his supporting player Cruise O' Brien and his year in the 7s programme showed, as he cantered in from 50. Half time and Rock now lead 14-6.

After the break it was Queens turn to get back to back tries. Firstly, off a first phase move from a scrum and secondly a power try from their forwards. A Corkery penalty kept the game to the slimmest of margins heading into the final 5 minutes. 

A good take by Waters in his own half resulted in a penalty to Rock as he was taken out in the air. This gave Rock the entry they needed into the Queens half and after battering away, they were finally rewarded by the referee in front of the posts. Corkery duly obliged and that was enough to see out a much deserved 20-18 victory.

5 points and sitting 7th from the first 3 games is not the start we would have wanted but as the results have shown this is a hugely competitive league and you have to be at your best each week to come away with victories. Next up is unbeaten Garryowen coming to Stradbrook after a much needed week off.

Queens University 18 - 20 Blackrock College RFC

A tight scoring affair up in the Dub on Saturday afternoon. Two tries for the Rock men on the day, and two absolute pearls they were. Ciaran Mangan, Matty MacCarthy & Inigo Cruise O'Brien with the magic. Click HERE to watch the highlight reel on the Club's Instagram page.