Corinthians go joint top with a bonus point win on the road
Corinthians left The Dub in Belfast on Saturday evening in high spirits following a 34-19 victory Queens University which sees them go top of Division 2A, level on 23 points with both Wanderers and Ballymena with six rounds of games played.
The old line that a good start is half the battle rang true for the visitors with Corinthians 14 points to the good by the 12th minute. A penalty kicked to touch led to a lineout set by the Corinthians pack. Five probing runs were short of the line, but Colm de Buitlear danced his way through the cover to touch down for the opener that was converted by Billy Cross.
That came in the 9th minute and three minutes later Corinthians had their second try. A clearance kick from Dan Green was collected by Rory King who kicked ahead, collected the bounce and fed Mikey Yarr who sprinted clear to score under the posts for an outstanding score. With Cross again nailing the extras, it gave Corinthians the dream start.
This stung Queens, and they started to get a handle on the game, forcing Corinthians into clearing their lines. Sniping runs from Shane McGuigan and Paul Henry went close but to Corinthians' credit, they held firm, with Mark Boyle and Diarmuid O’Connell in particular defending well.
The pressure finally told when Charlie Hargy peeled off the side of a maul to go over for the home side's opening try; and they would score again when Lewis Robinson collected and crossed over. Green was successful with the second conversion to leave the scoreline at 14-12 in favour of Corinthians as half-time approached, before a penalty from Billy Cross just before the break after Queens were pinged for not releasing gave Corinthians a five point cushion.
Corinthians found themselves down to 14 men on the restart when Dominic Williams was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, but the home side were unable to take advantage of their temporary numerical superiority.
In fact, the following play would lead to Corinthians’ third try. A cross-field kick from King was exact and Queens would lose the line out even if Yarr knew little about it as it bounced off his shoulder and backwards.
It set up the Corinthians attack with Raymond Dufficy and Rory Lyons to the fore along with O’Connell and Yarr. Tadgh Johnson’s passing was razor sharp and Charlie Keane collected and ran through for the try under the posts.
The introduction of Clark Logan added much needed pace in the home side’s attack and his break from a ruck almost led to Queen’s third try. His pass found Tom Brigg who looked clear only to be denied by an outstanding ankle tap from Cross, but the out-half was also fortunate not to be penalised for a pull on the number eight’s shirt before making the tackle.
The following play did produce a try for Queens with Tom Bell going over in the corner, but despite this set-back, Corinthians always looked like they would get another score and it would be the try that would guarantee them the bonus point and ultimately, the win.
Following yet another penalty against the home side, Corinthians used their forwards well and with Alex Burke and Jack Boyan setting the foundation, the ball was spread to Harry Rogers who sprinted past a tired Queens back line for try number four. Cross kicking the conversion giving him a 100% rate with the extra points.
Corinthians Head Coach Ambrose Conboy was proud of the character that his side showed. “Delighted with the win. The boys really performed, took a 14-point lead but they showed real character and belief in themselves when Queens fought back to get the result. It was comfortable in the end, so we are happy with it.”
Corinthians take a break form league action this weekend as they host Highfield in the semi-finals of the Bateman Cup in Dangan (2.30pm) in a competition that is contested by one team from each province, usually the winners of the respective provincial senior cups. Terenure College and Ballynahinch meet in the other semi-final.
Corinthians: R King; A Vetjens, H Rogers, C de Buitlear, D Williams; B Cross, T Johnston; R Lyons, M Yarr, R Dufficy, L McNamee Mas, D Walsh, M Boyle, C Keane, D O’Connell.
Replacements: J Boyan, J Duffy, A Burke, R Flynn, J Tierney.
Queen's: J Gibson; J Findlay, F Cunningham, T Bell, P Henry; D Green, C McVicker; L Robinson, C Hargy, F Longstaff, P Woods, J Irwin, S McGuigan, B Allen, T Brigg.
Replacements: G Craigan, A McClenaghan, B McClean, C Logan, A Lowey.
Referee: J Erskine (IRFU).