UCC are best of the Irish

University College, Cork, produced the goods in their opening match of the European Universities championship at the Mardyke last evening when they turned in a sound, second-half performance for a comprehensive victory, 40-18.

Having led 14-3 at the interval, they needed the extra scores to catch up on Oxford, who had earlier in the day comprehensively defeated Bristol University.

UCC produced three tries from flanker Tim Cahill, another penalty try and a try from Aidan O'Shea. Colin Healy kicked three penalties and three conversions.

For Cardiff, Robert Biggs kicked two penalties and converted a Richard Parks try and Emyr Roberts scored a late try.

There was less joy for the other Irish sides in the competition. Dublin University went Down 36-10 to home side Durham, while UCD were just pipped in the 70th minute in a 24-25 defeat by Loughborough University in Toulouse.

In Cardiff, Queen's University were annihilated by the University of Wales Institute (UWIC) 107-10.

In Durham, Trinity managed one converted try and a penalty to Durham's six tries, three of them converted. Both sides showed initial nerves, though Trinity did open with a penalty from out-half Mark McHugh. Durham then began to dominate the scrummage and scored two good tries before Trinity again put on the pressure. Just before half-time, however, Durham increased their lead with a converted try under the posts. In the second half, both sides showed more controlled rugby, but Durham increased the lead when Jennings put a kick through which right wing Bishop gathered to race over from 50 metres out.

Sustained pressure allowed the home team to score again before Trinity replied with a try from Laffin after a tapped penalty and drive. McHugh converted. Durham then rounded off their effort with a final try.

UCD, building from a half-time margin of 21-12, held their lead against Loughborough until the 70th minute. Their scores had come from tries from Simon Dogget and Adam Peavoy, three penalties and a conversion from Jake Smith and a drop goal from out-half Michael Colling.

Super back play from Loughborough, however, were College's undoing as the English university's wingers gathered momentum, running in a try and a late penalty to snatch the game 24-25. Despite a spirited offensive in the last 10 minutes, Loughborough held on to force UCD to look for a result against Northumbria on Wednesday.

A weakened Queen's side, who travelled with six first-year students, suffered a huge body blow to morale after UWIC's mammoth score. Sixteen tries were run past the Ulster side by the powerful Welsh rugby nursery, who led by a relatively modest 31-3 at the break.

Prop Gareth Weir scored the only try for Queen's. Gareth Harron converted and kicked a penalty for the Irish students. UWIC powered their way to a 76 points in the second half.