OLD WESLEY, the holders of the Smithwicks Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup, opened their defence of the trophy with an emphatic victory over Wanderers at Anglesea Road last night.

Old Wesley, four times winners of this competition are now in pursuit of a hat-trick of wins, having won the title for the last two seasons, and will meet DLSP in the quarter-final.

Their victory last night was impressively executed and they dominated the second half and no player on the field exerted a more pronounced influence on his side's victory than the most experienced player on the side, outside half Adrian Hawe. Hawe, a member of the team that won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1985, scored 23 points last night with six penalty goals, a dropped goal and a conversion.

Operating behind a pack that won more and better possession and admirably served by scrumhalf Graham Walsh, Hawe's experience and perception were always in evidence. He read his brief very well, mixing his game with shrewd kicking and serving his outside backs at the opportune moments.

Wanderers offered a spirited challenge in the initial stages and trailed by only six points at the break. They lost number eight Mark O'Driscoll early in the second half, and Old Wesley effectively killed off the challenge by the 54th minute when Greg Duffy got a try and Hawe converted to leave Old Wesley 22-6 in front.

Old Wesley were much more controlled up front and more comfortable on the ball behind the scrum. When Wanderers did win possession, they made too many errors to be able to put any consistent pressure on the Old Wesley defence. One downbeat note for Old Wesley was that they lost their experienced flanker Robbie Love with a suspected broken elbow. He had been a central figure in the creation of Old Wesley's try and made a very significant contribution to his side's success.

After Old Wesley had established a 28-6 lead by the 65th minute, Wanderers did have the consolation of scoring a try seven minutes from the end when veteran full-back Mark Wyse, who had kicked two first half penalties, got in for the try after Wanderers had taken two tapped penalties near the Old Wesley line.

The first round tie between Blackrock College and Carlow, scheduled for tonight, has been cancelled. Carlow, the Provincial Towns Cup holders, conceded a walkover to Blackrock. Carl ow want to concentrate on their campaign in the Leinster League and have a vital league match against Mullingar,