WELSH Universities came away from Belfield yesterday with an uninspiring but fully deserved win, after a lack lustre Irish Universities' performance.

Most of the game's excitement came early on. Richard Thompson's downward header from an Andy Jones free kick bounced up and on to Michael Nash's left post.

The Irish defenders dithering, the ball was only half cleared for Welsh right back Wayne Morgan to flash a shot just wide.

The Irish tightened up at the back after early uncertainty. But their real problems were in attack, where the busy Thomas McCallian found little support.

The Welsh took the lead two minutes from the break when Matt Crocker, their captain, powered in a header from a Hopkins free kick near the right corner flag. The Welsh comfortably held out in the second half.