Mitchell makes his mark

Schools Rugby McMullen Cup Final/St Columba's - 20 Mount Temple - 13: Replacement Andrew Mitchell did what all good wingers should do when following up Adam Dean's drop-goal attempt in the sixth minute of injury-time. When the ball fell Mitchell pounced for a try that sealed victory for St Columba's College at Lakeland's Park yesterday.

The victory completed the senior-junior double for St Columba's.

It all looked straightforward in the first-half as prop Tristan Goodbody crossed the line and full back Adam Dean landed the conversion and two penalties to give St Columba's a 13-0 lead by the interval.

Outhalf Ian Denham slotted a penalty early in the second half to to give Mount Temple hope.When second row Mark Johnson crossed for a try on the left wing and Sam O'Byrne, on for Denham, kicked the conversion there were three points between the sides with 11 minutes left.

Mount Temple drove hard into their opponents and eventually, the infringement came their way and O'Byrne knocked over the penalty. It looked as though a replay would be necessary until Mitchell struck.

Scorers: St Columba's College: T Goodbody, A Mitchell try each; A Dean 2 pens, 2 cons. Mount Temple: M Johnson try; S O'Byrne pen, con; I Denham pen.

ST COLUMBA'S COLLEGE: A Dean; A Henk, H Davis-Goff (capt), A Philpot, K Pierchalla; R Cork (A Mitchell, 59 mins), B Cork; T Goodbody, J Moore, W Evans, O Harrison, A Rauscher, J Cafolla (M Davies, half-time), B Rhodes-Vivour, O Rowland.

MOUNT TEMPLE: P Murphy; H Gill, J Gavin, S Byrne, D Reamsbottom; I Denham (S O'Byrne, 51 mins), S Glynn; J Carlyle, P Dawson, J O'Keeffe (D Whelan, 64 mins), M Johnson, E McCabe, A Sabongi, G Predy, S Boyle (capt).

Referee: B Montayne (Leinster Branch).