Trailing 22-9 midway through the second half at Donnybrook yesterday, Leinster got the break they needed against New South Wales when Kieran Lewis made an interception and ran half the length of the pitch to score a try under the posts. Further tries came from Tom Carter and Simon Keogh to seal an admirable victory.

Gordon Darcy kicked successive penalties in the first 23 minutes to put his side 9-0 in front. But the Australians soon turned things around with their out-half Robert Miller twice breaching the cover. Both conversions were landed by Tim Stuart who added a penalty just on the interval to leave the visitors 17-9 in front. Lachlan Morris crossed for their third try on 47 minutes. Leinster, though, had fate on their side in the end, with Darcy converting all three tries.

Leinster Schools: G Darcy (Clongowes); J Norton (St Mary's), K Lewis (Terenure), M O'Kelly (Terenure), N Ross (Blackrock), A Dunne (Belvedere), D Popplewell (Wesley); G Cleary (St Michael's), G Hickie (St Mary's), N Treston Blackrock), E Keane (Templeogue), D Dillon (Clongowes), T Carter (Terenure) A Cullen (Belvedere), J Jenkinson (Terenure). Replacements: S Keogh (St Michael's) for Popplewell (60 mins), R Henson (St Mary's) for Jenkinson (40 mins), A Toner (Presentation Bray) for Dunne (66 mins).

New South Wales Schools: T Stuart;, J Payne, B Nelson, S Harris, L Morris; R Miller, M Rudd; G Lawrie, L Bowen, A Walsh, S Maloney, M O'Brien, A Webb, E Leafe, D Lyons. Replacements: D O'Shea for Bowen (45 mins), J Lakepa for Walsh (26 mins).

Referee: P Swayne (ARLB).