All Americans win in Ireland
September 6, 2001

The All-American collegiate team has won the opening game of its two-match Irish tour with a 21-5 defeat of Trinity College in Dublin.

The US collegiate side's determined tackling saw the Irish attack driven backwards repeatedly and kept the hosts off the scoreboard until the dying minutes of the match. The All-American team all but stifled the Trinity side who, on the rare occasions they were given room, threatened to be dangerous with ball in hand.

But only twice in the first half did the Dublin University team actually break through the first line of defense and on both occasions the ball was turned over by the American loose forwards who were quick to every breakdown.

"It was a physical game," acknowledged head coach Tom Billups. "We had to be patient in attack and we were constructive in our defensive line."

The US side had several first period forays into Trinity territory, but couldn't convert their pressure into points until the 33rd minute when outside center Wally Friedrichs broke through the Irish centers with a well-chosen running line. Two or three phases in mid-field followed, before the ball went wide again. An overlap was created, Friedrichs finished the try he had begun and fullback John Buchholz added the conversion.

The All-Americans' second try came just before the break when the forwards drove the ball over the line from a lineout. Their third touch down of the game was scored in similar fashion, before Trinity finally got on the board with a try of their own in injury time.

The US collegiates wrap up their tour when they play University College
Dublin on Sunday.

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