All-Ireland League Round-up: UCD remain unbeaten in the AIB All-Ireland League Division One but they didn't so much win Saturday's game at the Belfield Bowl as have the four points handed to them on a plate by Blackrock College.
The tetchy affair, which saw four players sent to the sin-bin, was ultimately decided in the final quarter as Blackrock failed to turn their monopoly of possession into points.
Trailing 13-10, they refused to kick for goal to level the contest as their dominant rolling maul seemed destined to produce the decisive try. The students were reduced to 13-men as Simon Crawford and David Blaney were both sent to the bin for illegally halting the relentless roll forward but it was visiting prop Colm Murphy who became the real villain of the day when he inexplicably stamped on former Blackrock schoolboy Neil Coughlan.
On the touch judge's recommendation, referee Alistair McKay showed Murphy a yellow card before handing possession back to a beleaguered UCD.
Their ever-improving outhalf Eoghan Hickey lifted the siege before striking the ugliest of drop goals to push the league's pace setters into a 16-10 lead.
They even ensured Blackrock departed without the bonus point, or the Fogarty Cup, when Ross McCarron skidded over for their second try with three minutes remaining. Hickey converted from the touchline.
The foundation for victory was laid in the first half with a try from Michael Hastings, set-up by Hickey's deft pass. The outhalf added the conversion to go with an earlier penalty, leaving it 10-3 at the interval.
Blackrock eventually realised any chance of victory lay in their rolling maul and initial reward came after a risky Paddy O'Toole kick to the corner was gathered by winger Ken Copeland who got over. The comeback looked on thereafter but some rash decision making, including one ill-judged cross-field kick by Conor Kilroy, allowed UCD to keep the pressure up at the summit of the table.
Clontarf are one point ahead of the students after they picked up a bonus point in their victory over Garryowen at Castle Avenue with tries from Marc Hewitt, Cian Mahony, Dave Moore and Simon O'Donnell. After a bright start to the season, which included victory over Shannon in the Limerick derby, Garryowen are returning to earth after successive defeats.
Shannon also suffered their second loss of the campaign, going down 19-18 at the Grafton Arena to a resurgent Belfast Harlequins, despite leading 18-0 after six penalties from David Delaney. Ulster flanker Matt Muschin crossed for the winning try deep in injury-time.
Buccaneers beat Dungannon, while Co Carlow and Galwegians produced shock away victories at Lansdowne and Cork Constitution respectfully.
After a disastrous start to the season, Ray Ward's Carlow impressed and, with veteran outhalf Richie Murphy (14 points) controlling things, they overtook Lansdowne, who are now bottom of the table.
Paddy Wallace's return from injury coincided with Ballymena picking up a 23-22 victory over Dublin University at Eaton Park. The recruitment of South African coach Steph Nel appears to be reaping rewards for the Ulster club.
