BLACKROCK COLLEGE, defending champions and odds on favourites to retain their title, were given a fright and an examination of considerable depth by their sister college, St Michael's, in the quarter final of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup at Donnybrook yesterday.

In the end, Blackrock prevailed and deserved to claim their semifinal berth against Terenure College. It was not, however, until five minutes from the end that Blackrock extended a tenuous three point advantage to six. Only then, when centre David Quinlan kicked a penalty, did the St Michael's challenge waver.

Watched by a near capacity crowd and played in a tremendously enthusiastic atmosphere, it was a great contest, if not one favoured by immense quality or flair. It was also marked by a superb try, by the St Michael's scrum half Karl Becker. It came 11 minutes into the second half when Becker made a break from inside his own half. He showed a tremendous turn of pace as he ran 60 yards and scored on the left. Full back Barry McMahon's conversion was inches wide. However, the try brought the score level at 8-8. The alarm signals were raised for the holders.

Two minutes after that score, St Michael's tried to run the ball out of their `22' and conceded a penalty. Quinlan kicked the goal to edge Blackrock in front again. However, there was no respite for the holders and their army of supporters had to endure some nervous moments until Quinlan eased the tension with his penalty five minutes from time.

St Michael's showed an awareness of their limitations and tailored their tactics accordingly. They used the unorthodox stratagem of number eight David Cassidy feeding the scrum, with scrum half Becker in the number eight position for the quick pick and pass.

Blackrock were much the stronger scrummaging unit and while Gavin Ryan, in particular, won some good line out, ball for St Michael's, the ability of Robert Casey, Leo Cullen and Barry Gibney a quality flanker, allowed Blackrock to win the lineout possession when it mattered.

However, in the loose and rucks, St Michael's played really well and with flankers Peter Shanley and Austin Reddy at the heart of the challenge, they tore into the physically stronger opposition and disrupted the Blackrock rhythm. The tackling was hard and effective as they hustled Blackrock into errors.

St Michael's spirit and resolution was in no way diminished when Blackrock second row Keith Murphy got a try after 15 minutes. McMahon cut the deficit to two points with a penalty in, the 21st minute. It was 5-3 at the break.

Quinlan kicked a penalty in the 42 minute and then came Becker's great try to bring the scores level. St Michael's endeavour never wilted, even after Quinlan's penalty in the 48th minute again put Blackrock in front.