The holders CBS Naas followed their stunning rookie season by knocking one of the favourites, Skerries Community College, out in the first round of the Leinster Schools' Section A Duff Junior Cup at King's Hospital yesterday.
Max Bradley was the hero of the hour, striking for tries in the 24th and 59th minutes to keep Naas just out of Skerries' reach. Eoin Dempsey did kick over a drop goal and penalty to slice the deficit to 12-6 by the 38th minute, but Shane Bergin's kicking and Bradley's late intervention were decisive.
Gorey Community School gave the more fancied Mount Temple a real fright, eventually going down 15-10, in a fascinating tussle at Greystones.
The north Wexford boys, assisted by the wind, jumped into the lead from centre Shane O'Leary's first-half try. Back came Mount Temple, wing Paul Regazolli diving over and out-half Hugh Gill kicking a penalty before Gorey's lead was restored by tighthead William Kearney's try from close in. In the end, Gill was the difference between two evenly matched sides and he sprinted through for a try which he also converted.
Wilson's Hospital centre Colin Draper harvested five tries, not to mention two conversions, from their 51-0 trouncing of St Mel's College in Mullingar. In fact, the backs accounted for all but one, from number eight Henry Reilly, of the nine tries. Centre Alastair Jackson, wing Sam Ethell and full back Jonathan Field all got in on the act.
St Fintan's High School, Sutton, shocked St Paul's College 8-3 at Mount Temple. Number eight Colly McQuillen produced the decisive touchdown, while St Paul's captain Etienne Corish and centre Michael Winterson traded penalties.
St Columba's College, always a contender for honours, didn't have it all their own way in a 31-12 win over St MacDara's Community College at Templeogue.
Wings Anthony de Voest and Leo Lewis, openside John Warren, centre Alex Henk and full back Ian McKinley each punctured the MacDara's defence, while outhalf Kristopher Green and second row Harry Cahill replied with tries for the losers.
St Patrick's Classical School only required a try from number eight Brian McKeever to turnover Newpark Comprehensive 5-0 at Castleknock and De La Salle, Churchtown had too much strength and skill for Sandford Park in a 44-0 whitewashing that included a brace of tries for out-half James Murphy.
At King's Hospital: CBS Naas 22 (M Bradley 2 tries; C Murphy try; S Bergin pen, 2 cons); Skerries CC 6 (E Dempsey dr gl, pen).
At Mullingar: Wilson's Hospital 51 (C Draper 5 tries, 2 cons; J Field try, con; H Reilly, S Ethell, A Jackson try each) St Mel's College, Longford 0.
At Mount Temple: St Fintan's High School, Sutton 8 (C McQuillen try; M Winterson pen); St. Paul's College 3 (E Corish pen).
At Greystones: Mount Temple 15 (H Gill try, pen, con; Paul Regazzolli try); Gorey CS 10 (S O'Leary, W Kearney try each).
At Templeogue College: St Columba's College 31 (I McKinley try, con; A de Voest, J Warren, A Henk, L Lewis try each; A Dean 2 cons); St MacDara's CC 12 (K Green try, con; H Cahill try).
At Castleknock College: St Patrick's Classical School, Navan 5 (B McKeever try); Newpark Comprehensive 0.
At Danum: De La Salle, Churchtown 44 (J Murphy 2 tries; J Coffey try, pen; D Stritch 3 cons; D Martin, S Farrell, C Murdock, S Buckley try each); Sandford Park 0.
