Lett's double denies CUS

Schools Rugby Leinster Junior Cup/The King's Hospital 11 CUS 8: Evan Lett looked set for an afternoon to forget at Donnybrook yesterday when he skewed a penalty wide of the uprights after just four minutes of play. Instead the scrumhalf showed nerves of steal to recover with two late penalties, both more difficult than the earlier miss, while under the sort of pressure that has made many a professional rugby player fold.

The reward for his accuracy is King's Hospital progress to the last 16 of the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup where Gonzaga College await on February 7th.

For two 20-minute periods in either half it seemed King's Hospital would be hitting the books before February. Although they responded excellently to Lett's initial penalty miss with a try in the corner by centre Nicky Darragh two minutes later, thereafter CUS dominated possession and territory.

The only reward for the Leeson Street school was a penalty from captain Hugh Murray with all line breaks being shut out by the King's Hospital's commendable cover defence; in particular full back Stephen Hogan's tackle on winger Shane McGrath after a 40-yard rumble by prop Raymond O'Connor.

CUS did eventually put more points on the board midway through the second period when number eight Richard Whelan was driven over from a lineout.

With the scores at 8-5, another try seemed unlikely but Lett was given a quick opportunity to level matters and from 35-yards out his penalty sailed through the posts. A draw seemed the likely outcome until Lett's second penalty edged his team back in front with two minutes remaining.

THE KING'S HOSPITAL: S Hogan; G Murphy, N Darragh, A McElwee, C Armstrong; B Ackland, E Lett; I Hirst, A Frasier, F Ross (capt); D Kevelighan, S Donnelly; S Warner, A Trenier, A Darragh. Replacements: A Beattie for S Donnelly, D Whinston for A Trenier (both half-time), S McGlynn for N Darragh (50 mins).

CUS: D Rock; T McDermott, C O'Brien, M Kelly, S McGrath; H Murray (capt), L O'Toole; A Duffy, L Dillon, R O'Connor; E Murray, D Fitzpatrick; M Kilduff, R Whelan, S Tierney. Replacements: C Byrne for S Tierney (51 mins), S Hanly for L O'Toole (60 mins).

Referee: B Montayne (ARLB).