Queen’s University Belfast retained the Dudley Cup following a 41 – 35 win in an exciting match against Dublin University on Saturday afternoon at the Queens Arena.

These Dudley Cup matches have been great fun, played at a high tempo befitting the students and this one was no different with Queens opening the scoring a matter of minutes into the game with Stuart McIlwaine crossing out wide to give Queen’s a 5 – 0 lead.

Seven minutes later David Whitten sprinted through on a loose ball to claim the Belfast sides second try, Ritchie McMaster converting for a 12 – 0 lead.

Queen’s third came from another Dublin mistake this time Robbie Johnson sprinting from some distance to score to leave Queens 19 – 0 up as they went into the second quarter.

Dublin University finally got on the scoreboard with a penalty from their out half and five minutes later they crossed for a converted try to pull the game back to 19 – 10.

McMaster and the Dublin out half exchanged penalties as the score rattle along to 22 – 13 with minutes to go in the first half. However, Queen’s took a 27 – 13 lead into the break thanks to a late try from Jonny Hunter on the wing.

Unfortunately we had to leave at half time to cover other matches but Queen’s Alexander Clarke crossed shortly after the break, McMaster converting, to extend Queens lead to 34 – 13 but they needed a furter try, this time from Andrew McGrath,  to seal the game 41 – 35 after a storming second half comeback from Dublin University.

Oh the joys of University Rugby!

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