Newbridge triumphed in the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup yesterday, but had to contend with a resurgent Wesley College, who, having trailed by 17 points, rallied superbly to come to within a converted try of forcing the replay. Each side landed a penalty early on, then Newbridge got their noses in front when an intended kick ahead from their promising out-half, Dara O'Shea, allowed left wing David Murphy in for a try. O'Shea and Murphy soon combined for an almost identical score with O'Shea converting. Wesley soon made their presence felt, however, when wing forward, Stuart Abbott scored and out-half Michael Hastings converted.

With only a try between them at the break, Newbridge upped the ante with tries from Murphy and Kevin Nealon, the latter converted by O'Shea. But led by number eight Stephen Wallace, whose driving runs produced two quick tries, Wesley turned the game, with only the referee's whistle saving Newbridge.

Newbridge: R McCabe; W Curry, J Mulryan, B O'Donnell, D Murphy; D O'Shea, B Long; K Nealon, R Downey, E Walshe, D Nolan, P Turley, J Heaslip, J Bond, T Kindregan.

Wesley: J Black; R Duffy, J Leigh, B Hastings, S Ashiru; M Hastings, N Correll; J Belton, J Musgrave, A O Connor, M Warburton, S Spendlove, A Macken, S Abbott, S Wallace.

Referee: N Lynas, Leinster branch.