THE Irish Universities won the student Triple Crown for the first time in 16 years with victory over the Scottish Universities at Peffermill in Edinburgh yesterday by 27 points to five.

The Irish kept their unbeaten record this season as they put away four penalty goals and three dazzling tries.

Richard Ormond's golden boot put the Scots at an early disadvantage and helped maintain the pressure. But the half-back's dodging 25-metre run for a solo score just seven minutes into the second half put the nail in Scotland's coffin and was the highlight of the match.

With Jim Ryan injured in the warm-up and replaced by O'Driscoll from UCC, the Scots dominated the early line-out play.

But, harder, faster Irish defence contained the versatility of the Scotland backs until flanker Chris Hill squeezed home for a consolation score halfway through the second half.