Scallon’s tries enough to see off Leinster
Leinster 11
Munster 22
A BRACE of tries from Newtown School winger Stephen Scallon proved to be the difference in Donnybrook yesterday, as Munster were crowned ‘A’ Schools Interprovincial Champions after an entertaining clash with a well-drilled Leinster Side, writes DAIRE WALSH.
Played in blustery conditions at Leinster Rugby HQ, it was the Blue Army who were the sharpest of the two sides in the early stages, as they looked to attack Munster from the word go.
Indeed, it looked like they might get in for a try during this period, especially when hooker Jason Byrne went on a powerful run up the left wing three minutes in, but the visitors managed to hold firm on this occasion.
However, the relentless pressure from Leinster did result in Munster conceding a penalty in front of the posts just two minutes later, which inside centre Ben Porter easily converted. Porter then added to his tally with an altogether more difficult kick just outside the 22 on 11 minutes, as Leinster moved into a six-point lead.
This was no more than they deserved as they had been the dominant side up to this point, but the Red Army soon forced their way into the game and, following an excellent break into the final-third by flanker Michael Cooke, out-half Tip Delaney opened Munster’s account with a straightforward close-range penalty.
This score certainly helped to settle them down to a significant degree, and even though Leinster continued to threaten through the likes of Porter and Jamie Scanlon, it was Munster who secured the first try of the afternoon when a sustained spell of pressure on the Leinster line ended with Delaney putting through Stephen Scallon for a try in the right corner.
Porter fell short with another penalty attempt after 53 minutes, and he was left to rue this miss when Scallon touched down just shy of the dead-ball line eight minutes later, having charged down a Leinster clearance on the left. This try was brilliantly converted by Delaney, and he was also on hand to convert a breakaway try from wing-forward Richard Kingston with five minutes remaining.
This proved to be the insurance score for Munster, and even though Leinster registered a try through Captain Vincent Gavin in stoppage time, it proved to be no more than a consolation in the end.
Scorers for Leinster: Ben Porter 2 pens, Vincent Gavin try. Munster: Stephen Scallon 2 tries, Tip Delaney 2 cons, 1 pen, Richard Kingston try.
Leinster: Fergal Howley; Jamie Scanlon, Michael Fennelly, Ben Porter, Tyron Pretorius; Michael Hassett, James Orr; Eanna Brennan, Jason Byrne, Darren Brady; Harry Connor, Sam Gibney; Brendan Clarke, Vincent Gavin, Jordan Ahearne.
Replacements: Jamie Boyd for Brady (5-12, blood sub), Padraig Maher for Fennelly (39), Ben Madigan for Ahearne (51), Ben Mackey for Brennan (66), Boyd for Brady (66), Kevin Brown for Clarke (66), Judd Byrne for Hassett (66), Shane Keogh for Orr (66).
Munster: Kerry Desmond; Stephen Scallon, Tim Tobin, Ben Mitchell, Andrew Walsh; Tip Delaney, Jaco Oosthuysen; Niall Fitzgerald, Christopher O’Meara, James Reeves; Stephen Carey, Stuart O’Sullivan; Michael Cooke, Richard Kingston, Ryan Meaney.
Replacements: Michael O’Neill for Fitzgerald (13), Brian Moore for Cooke (18), Gareth Molloy for Tobin (51), Aaron Hogan for Carey (59), Stephen Murphy for Scallon (63), Rossa Taylor for Walsh (67).
Referee: Gary Conway (Leinster Rugby).