THE Section A great escapists, Marian, found that there was no hiding place in Section B, with St Paul's running in first half three, tries without reply at Distillery Road yesterday.
St Paul's made a bright start when, with only three minutes on the clock, Kevin Woods touched down after a five yards serum. The highly impressive Gareth Rossi added another try five minutes later.
An excellent passing movement initiated by scrum half Michael O'Shea, with Mark Duignan, Rossi and Eoin Carroll also involved, saw JJ Grogan complete the scoring just before the break.
The closest Marian came to a response was when Albert Allan hit the upright also in the first half, with the game petering out in the second period.
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BADMINTON
Topping ready for defence of his realm
By EMMET MALONE
DESPITE circumstances appearing to have shifted somewhat against him, Bruce Topping travels to Dublin this weekend to defend all three of the titles that he won at last year's Carlton National Championships.
The northerner dominated the tournament 12 months ago, when he wrote himself into the history books, but this time around he looks to have a tougher task ahead of him in each of the three events.
The return of Michael Watt to the national scene this year will provide additional competition for the singles title. Jim Colfor will also be trying to make a point to the Irish selectors. In the mixed, Topping and his partner have managed to play in just one tournament together all season.
"It's a bit unfortunate that we could only get together in the Irish International Championships, but we did very well there. We beat the second seeds, Nick Ponting and Joanne Davies, which was probably one of the best wins that we had ever managed," said Topping yesterday.
"Ann hasn't been playing so much this year and we're only seeded three this weekend, but really that doesn't matter because if you're going to win you have to play everyone in the end. It will be tough alright, but Ann will be looking to play her way into the team for the Europeans and I think, overall, we are strong enough to do it."
In the singles, the reigning champion has been somewhat unfortunate as the draw has placed third seed Colfor in his hall, with the likely result that the pair will meet at the semi final stage. Although he is hopeful that he can make it through to the final, Topping knows better than to take anything for granted.
"We had a tough match at the Leinster Open last week where I was a set and 6-1 down at one point and I would have preferred for it not to turn out this way for the nationals. Michael (Watt) is likely to be a big problem. He has always done it in this event before and mentally he would be very strong in the final if we end up meeting. But I think I've been playing well lately and hopefully I'd have the edge."
The pair met back at the Autumn Open when Topping came away a fairly comfortable winner, although he admits that Watt is a great deal sharper now. A tough match with Colfor on Sunday morning would also leave him vulnerable in the afternoon's finals.
