SCHOOLS RUGBY: LEINSTER SENIOR CUP: Blackrock College 27 Newbridge College 8: NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE discovered that gallantry alone doesn't suffice when determining the outcome of most sporting contests, especially when pitted against genuine quality.
They deserve plaudits for application, perspiration expended and for the manner in which they refused to bow the knee right up until the final whistle but ultimately they were undone by snapshots of sheer excellence.
The conspicuous contributions of the Blackrock College backrow, Max Connolly, Tom Austin and the outstanding Richard Marsh, effectively decided the match in their team’s favour not simply by try-scoring deeds but their athleticism and power: they exemplified the euphemism, “tearaway trio”. The Kildare school found Marsh pretty much uncontainable, the Blackrock number eight dominating the collisions and then showing an impressive turn of foot when released into open spaces of Templeville Road.
Austin was similarly effective, twisting and turning to wriggle out of tackles, and he too could shift. It wasn’t all about power as both players stepped as delicately as any back and showed a fine appreciation of angles and timing. Marsh scored Blackrock’s first try prior to the interval, too quick for the defence when working the short side from a five-metre scrum.
It was the number eight who created the field position for his side’s second try on 44 minutes, bursting through some weak tackling, stepping inside Newbridge fullback John Jennings, and racing 35 metres before being grounded by a wonderful cover tackle from Ben O’Connor. However, Blackrock hooker David Hogan squeezed over close to the corner flag.
Six minutes later the Blackrock backrow combined again, with Marsh making the initial surge before Austin outpaced the cover in a 45-metre foot race to the line. It was only at this point, 17-8 ahead and backed by the gale, that the eventual winners could relax. It was a far cry from the first half, when Newbridge playing with the wind were full value for their 8-5 interval lead and this despite losing their secondrow Eoin Dempsey, the victim of an innocent but painful collision when chasing a re-start.
The game was stopped for 20 minutes while he lay prone on the pitch – the teams returned to the dressingrooms – but thankfully he was eventually able to climb into the ambulance under his own steam. Jack Hogan proved an able deputy.
Newbridge had taken the lead on 13 minutes with arguably the best move of the match. O’Connor made a half-break in midfield and timed his offload to the supporting Peter Osborne beautifully. The outhalf galloped 40 metres, making it to within inches of the try line before scrumhalf Robbie Mullen fed prop David Rigney who dived over.
Osborne failed with the difficult conversion but would later add a penalty following March’s try for Blackrock to leave Newbridge 8-5 ahead at the interval. They took the game to their opponents for the opening seven or eight minutes of the second half, during which time Osborne was narrowly wide with another penalty.
Turnovers, though, were going to cost 50 metres of territory and gradually it began to take its toll. Blackrock’s game-breakers took over, making a difference not only on the pitch but the scoreboard. Mark Roche kicked a penalty and tagged on a conversion to a try from quick thinking replacement scrumhalf Angus Lloyd. If Blackrock can introduce a little composure, be less frantic mentally at times in possession, then this well drilled side have the personnel and the patterns to test anyone: even defending champions Clongowes, whom they meet next.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 13 mins: Rigney try, 5-0; 17: Marsh try, 5-5; 20: Osborne penalty, 8-5; Half-time: 8-5. 44: Hogan try, Roche conversion, 8-12; 50: Austin try, 8-17; 61: Roche penalty, 8-20; Lloyd try, Roche conversion, 8-27.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE:S Barron; C McCrory, C McEllin, M Roche, C O'Leary; J Dempsey, C Rock; A Boland, D Hogan, C Maguire (capt); G Thornbury, P Dargan; M Connolly, T Austin, R Marsh. Replacements: M Carroll for Boland half-time;L Leonard for Austin 51 mins; A Lloyd for Rock 59 mins; P Conlon for McCrory 59 mins; C Quinn for Thornbury 61 mins; F Bolger for Connolly 63 mins; A Quirke for Dempsey 68 mins.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE:J Jennings; P O'Neill, C Murtagh, B O'Connor, C Callanan; P Osborne, R Mullen; D Rigney, C Kings, B O'Donnell; E Dempsey, B Scully; R Snell, C Fagan, W O'Brien. Replacements: J Hogan for Dempsey 18 mins; B Delaney for Callanan half-time; C Dempsey for Snell 46 mins; R Kehoe-Clarke for Scully 62 mins; R Buckley for O'Connor 68 mins.
Referee: B Montayne (ARLB).
