Irish Universities produced a magnificent first-half display to secure a comfortable 59-3 victory over Scottish Universities at the Mardyke yesterday.
The Irish team produced a superb all-round display, especially in the opening half, with the backs producing some great passing moves, while the forwards were always quick to support them.
Nearly all of the scores came in the first half, with Ireland leading 45-0 at the break.
Meanwhile, St Munchin's centre Keith Earls notched a memorable hat-trick of tries as Munster Schools Under-19s overpowered their Ulster counterparts, 54-13, at Musgrave Park yesterday.
Apart from scoring three fine tries himself, the youngster played a huge part in helping Munster to six more against a totally outclassed Ulster.
Munster - 17-6 ahead at the break - were ruthless in the second period, Earls completing his hat-trick and man- of-the-match performance five minutes from time.
In the Under-18s encounter - also at Musgrave Park yesterday - a penalty miss from Andy Moore one minute into injury time left Munster off the hook, the home side holding on for a 20-19 victory over Ulster.
IRISH UNIVERSITIES: D HURLEY (UCC); P Howard (TCD), S Grissing (UCD), K Kennedy (UCD), S Glass (QUB); E Hickey (UCD), M Ferry (QUB); N Conlon (TCD), M Crockett (TCD), K Doyle (UCD); S Crawford (UCD), M Warburton (TCD); K Croke (UCD, capt), D Hall (QUB), K McLaughlin (UCD). Replacements: R Hartigan (UL) for McLaughlin, V Soden (UCC) for Conlon 28, T Ryan (UCC) for Doyle, C Geoghegan (UCD) for Crockett, G Moore (QUB) for Crawford, D O'Leary (UCC) for Ferry, F Lawlor (UL) for Hickey, D Crotty (TCD) for Glass (all half-time).
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