Early tries pave way for Newbridge
LEINSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE…………………………………………………. 13
ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE……………………………………………….. 05
By Daire Walsh
First-half tries from Brian Larkin and Mike Joyce were pivotal yesterday in Donnybrook, where Newbridge College had the edge over St Andrew’s College in the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup quarter-final.
Newbridge opened the scoring with just four minutes gone, when second-row Larkin powered over the Andrew’s line.
Colm Doyle was off-target with the conversion, but Newbridge doubled their lead on 14 minutes courtesy of a try from Larkin’s fellow lock, Joyce.
Newbridge held a 10-point interval advantage however the Booterstown men had an extra dimension when the action resumed, and after out-half Ross Nicoll opted for touch on 46 minutes, Nick Hibberd applied the finishing touches to the resulting maul for St Andrew’s to narrow the gap to 10-5.
Peter Sullivan’s conversion attempt was wide of the mark, though, and following a 55th minute Doyle penalty, Newbridge successfully negotiated their path to the last-four.
Scorers for Newbridge College: B Larkin, M Joyce try each, C Doyle pen.
Scorers for St Andrew’s College: N Hibberd try.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: M Delaney; R Cleary, J Howlett, J O’Brien, C Stapleton; T Murphy, C Doyle; J Duggan, C Johnson, D Breen; M Joyce, B Larkin; T O’Neill, R Buckley, P Ryan.
Replacements: R Culliton for O’Neill (55), A Mahony for Joyce, D Culliton for Howlett (both 70).
ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE: J McDonagh; S Ballance, P Sullivan, G Fearon, S Smith; R Nicoll, J Black; R Bradley, L Judge, R O’Flaherty; B Ryan, N Hibberd; Z Henry, B Nolke, J Guy.
Replacements: A Waller for Ryan, D Wilson for O’Flaherty (both 38), C Sinnamon for Ballance (55).
Referee: P Haycock (Leinster Rugby Referees).