LEFT WINGER Gafyn Stiff's late try, converted by Gathin Vobe, enabled the Welsh to snatch the Universities triple crown from Ireland's grasp at College Park.
After 15 minutes, it appeared that the Irish were well on the road to success. Out half Colm Morgan's early chip to the left corner out foxed the Welsh defence, for Alistair Hood to get the first of two tries. Morgan fluffed the conversion attempt, but minutes later landed a close range penalty.
The Welsh, however, started to move the ball menacingly, and scrum half Darren Edwards varied his game significantly. On 31 minutes, out half Vobe was held up short of the line, only for Edwards to send number eight Christian Evans rampaging over. Vobe converted but failed with a similar task shortly after when the all action Edwards burrowed his way over from a tapped penalty.
Morgan rewarded Irish aggression straight away with a penalty from 35 yards to leave the Welsh just 12-11 ahead of the break.
Another Morgan penalty gave the home side greater momentum, and when John Kelly's acceleration created the opening for Hood to sprint clear, Morgan had the simplest kick to make it 21-15. But with time almost up, Welsh centre Richard Sheppeard cut through for Stiff to score decisively beside the posts.
