UUJ RUGBY REPORTER

1
UUJ RUGBY REPORTER
UUJ HOLD THEIR OWN AGAINST FAVOURITES
UUJ SQUAD LIST Forwards
Backs 1- S Beattie 9- M
Thompson 2- M Bradford 10- P
Elliott 3- A Whitten 11- A
Rodgers 4- M Davidson 12- G
Taylor 5- D Beggs 13- A
Craig 6- J Morgan (Capt) 14- K
OGrady 7- A Birch 15- D
Smith 8- J Forsett Subs S Morton, C Hayes, A
Holteder
Garda 26 25 UUJ
The university of Ulster Jordanstown rugby
club had their first all Ireland Division one
fixture of the 07/08 season against the Garda
college. The Garda college were division 1
finalists last year and are tipped to take the
crown this year. UUJ went into this
game complete underdogs as they are the new kids
on the block after being promoted into the league
for the first time this year. They certainly did
not look like underdogs as the boys in blue
started furiously scoring twice with no reply.
The first through good forward play driving over
from 10 metres out, the scorer prop Steven
Beattie who makes it an impressive 2 in 2. The
second saw Adam Craig the UUJ 13 for the day
finish off an great move started in Jordanstowns
own 22 going through four pairs of hands before
the centre brilliantly stepped the full back to
score under the posts, and convert himself. Some
indiscipline let the Garda back in the game as
they kicked two penalties before half time.
The second half started badly for UUJ as some
slack defence enabled the Garda to score a
converted try in the first minute. After that
shock Jordastown hit back through fly half P
Elliott with a brilliant run seeing him score in
the corner to give UUJ a bit of breathing space
at 19-13. This was to be reduced, again by UUJs
bad discipline being called for offside and hands
in the ruck, both times Gardas ten kicking the
penalties to make it 19-19 with 15 mins to play.
Jordanstown kept the pressure on the Tipperary
team being given two penalties of their own with
Adam Craig kicking accurately, as he did all day
to make it 25-19 and it seemed the underdogs were
in control coming into the final 10 minutes.
But is was not to be as more indiscipline
enabled the Garda College to kick a penalty of
their own to be behind by four points. They were
camped in UUJs 22 for the final five minutes
choosing to run their penalties. The risk paid
off as they eventually scored a injury time try
in the corner making use of a massive overlap
which ended the game at 26-25 to the home team.
Although disappointing for UUJ this game
did show one thing They can stick it with the
best. Bring on the home fixture!!!
BOOZE BUS BACK! UUJs first fixture of the
season saw an impressive booze bus back. UUJ are
renowned for a couple a beverages, a few sing
songs and many laughs after a match. This bus was
no different with many bus virgins finding out
the hard way. Their marine like skills were
tested as they had to make their way back to
university having been dropped off a mile away.
All we will say it was very VERY chilly that
night. Good lads!
UPCOMING FIXTURES 21ST Nov- U20- Ballymena V
UUJ 28TH Nov- UUJ V Athlone (2.30 K.O) 28TH Nov
U20- Queens V UUJ (7.30 K.O)