Corinthians, having returned to winning ways last weekend, now face a huge challenge when they host league leaders UCD at Cloonacauneen on Saturday (2.30pm ).
The Galway city side produced a gritty performance last weekend against visitors Terenure to edge a competitive encounter by 18 - 17 - a victory that helped them move up the league table into sixth place.
They will need to be at their best against the Dublin students who are unbeaten in this season’s Ulster Bank League division two campaign.
Last weekend Corinthians jumped Terenure in the fight for a top four spot, opening the scoring after 10 minutes with a penalty from outhalf Conor Murphy. The visitors responded swifty, and with their pack driving forward, it was flanker Robert Duke who slipped through the defence to touch down. Outhalf Mark O Neill added the extras for a 7 - 3 lead.
However Corinthians’ second row Donnchadh Phelan did well to secure the restart, and the resulting attack resulted in winger Aengus O’Connell finishing off a well-worked try, with Murphy converting for a 10-7 lead.
The home side added to the score midway through the half. Centre Wayne Williams was instrumental in the move before fullback Darrin Classens found the supporting James Buckley who crossed the whitewash for a second try.
However Corinthians gifted Terenure a penalty shortly after when their backs were caught offside, and worse followed when Terenure intercepted and Duke grabbed his second try with O’Neill converting to edge his side in front 17 - 15.
The second-half action proved less eventful with the only score coming in the 60th minute of a stop-start affair. With the home outfit Corinthians dominating a lineout, prop Dennis Buckley set up a great drive forward, forcing the visitors to concede what was to become a crucial penalty. Murphy converted to edge his side into a slender 18 - 17 lead.
With 20 minutes remaining, Terenure went on the atack, but in the battle of the forwards, it was Corinthians who prevailed as they held out for a vital victory.
