UCC continue their defence of the Times Trophy after a nail-biting victory over St Mary's College of Twickenham yesterday.

Having sneaked into the quarterfinals as best runners-up, UCC were made to sweat again as they manfully defended their narrow lead against the powerful St Mary's pack. UCC had enjoyed the better of the first-half with Conrad O'Sullivan directing play at outhalf. UCC's two first choice outhalves were injured, requiring O'Sullivan to step-in. From one of his many astute kicks, Frank McKenna scored the only try of the match in the 24th minute to earn UCC a 7-0 lead at half-time.

Their composure was seriously dented, however, on the stroke of half-time, when O'Sullivan was forced to retire with a thigh injury. Paul Barry, another talented centre, was pressed into service at out-half and UCC had to dig deep to withstand the second-half onslaught. St Mary's full back Sean Flynn kicked two penalties to reduce the deficit to the minimum but James O'Donnell landed one for UCC. Flynn again cut the margin to a single point but the holders held out for a deserved win.

In a frantic last few minutes Ger Flannery took a vital strike against the head and Barry made a vital cover tackle on Ben Dommett. UCC now host Loughborough in the semi-final on January 19th, while University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, host Bayonne.

St MARY'S: J Coffey; S Price, S Davey, C Trace, K Mullen; S Flynn, M Percival; J Smith, S Elkinson, D Little, J Petterinedes, C Short, R Carr, M Crean, R Salisbury. Replacement: B Dommett for Mullen (17 mins).

UCC: J O'Donnell; N Kenneally, P Barry, G Fuller, D Holt; C O'Sullivan, T Olden; J Kealy, G Flannery, M Ross, H O'Sullivan, F McKenna, M Riordan, J Sheahan, D Lane. Replacements: M M Knowles for C O'Sullivan (40 mins), J Fitzgerald for H O'Sullivan (50 mins), B Cahill for M Riordan (65 mins), G Murray for J Kealy (65 mins).

Referee: L Jackson (London).