Lansdowne rampant after early fright

LANSDOWNE cantered into the final of the Leinster Senior Cup after outclassing Dublin University in a semi-final of the competition at Templeville Road on Saturday.

It all started so well for Trinity, whose speed and determination took their Division One opponents by surprise. After just four minutes, outhalf Rory Wallace rounded off a fine passing move by crossing over for a try, converted by Michael McDonagh.

Four minutes later, Trinity were further ahead; centre Daragh McElligott taking advantage of a favourable bounce to get the touchdown. McDonagh's conversion attempt came off the left up-right but with just eight minutes gone the students were leading 12-0.

Eric Elwood steadied Lansdowne with a try in the 15th minute and when centre Brian Glen non crossed over for a second five minutes later which Elwood converted, Lansdowne were back on terms.

With the Lansdowne forwards warming to their task it was no surprise when number eight, Colin McEntee, dived over for a try in the 24th minute to give Lansdowne the lead. McDonagh cut the deficit with a penalty for Trinity in the 36th minute but Elwood, revelling in the space he was afforded, kicked an excellent drop goal into the wind from 40 metres to give Lansdowne a 20-5 lead at half-time.

Elwood repeated that trick in the first minute of the second-half and with an eight-point lead established and the wind at their backs Lansdowne began to enjoy themselves. After tries from Alan Reddan, Andy Doyle and a second from McEntee, the small but noisy band of Trinity supporters began chanting "boring, boring Lansdowne".

But Lansdowne weren't done yet. Right wing Marcus Dillon showed the Trinity cover a clean pair of heels twice in the space of three minutes to give Lansdowne a 56-15 lead going into the third quarter.

Trinity centre Aleric Turtle broke the spell with a fine try before Paul O'Connor restored normal service with a try in the 72nd minute. Elwood rounded off a fine performance when he dived over under the posts for Lansdowne's 10th try a minute from time.