The Trinity students resisted with valour for much of this lively colours encounter at Donnybrook last night but were eventually worn down by UCD for the fourth year in succession.

Out-half Paddy Wallace had a major say in the UCD victory with his two tries, three conversions and a penalty.

The lead was exchanged five times after Wallace opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Eventually Trinity got into scoring territory but the best they could claim was a penalty from Simon Mitchell.

For the rest of the first half Trinity made a determined effort to stay in the game and American student John Younger created one of the more impressive runs that ended with a second penalty from Mitchell.

Two minutes before the break, however, UCD regained the advantage when Philip Bredin crossed for a try to put them 8-6 in front.

Trinity showed impressive spirit and were duly rewarded with their first try from scrum half and captain Colm Curneen.

But that was the last time they led. Wallace then took off from inside his own half to score UCD's second try midway through the half. And 10 minutes later Bredin took a great pass from Wallace to score.

Wallace then secured the victory with a close range try on 72 minutes which he once again converted himself.

Scorers: UCD - P Wallace two tries, three cons, pen, P Bredin two tries; Trinity - C Curneen try, S Mitchell two penalties.

UCD: C McLean; D Dunne, S Moore (capt), P Hickey-Dwyer, P Bredin; P Wallace, B Quigley; M Moynagh, D Blaney, R McCormack, C Keane, A Kearney, J Campbell, G Cantwell, D Dillon. Replacements: P Shanley for Cantwell (halftime).

TRINITY: G Governey; C Buckley, R Aiono, R Wallace, J Younger; S Mitchell, C Curneen (capt); P Laffin, K Murphy, N O'Connor, P Lennon, T Hogan, J Ryan, R Woods, P Perdue. Replacements: G Ryan for Murphy (half-time), D Crotty for Wallace (52 mins), A Laird for Curneen, M McCullagh for Mitchell, S Brophy for Laffin, (all 80 mins)

Referee: W Sheridan.