Rockwell power to an unexpected win

Rockwell moved a step closer to their first Munster Schools' Senior Cup title in 15 years when they defeated Crescent 13-10 in one semi-final at Clanwilliam Park, Tipperary, yesterday.

It was a gripping encounter between two evenly matched teams. Crescent held what might have been a decisive 10-point lead after playing with the wind in the first half, but Rockwell hit them with all guns blazing in the second half and fully deserved their surprise victory.

Crescent opened impressively but a combination of their own errors and staunch Rockwell defence held them at bay until the 17th minute when out-half Alan Purcell kicked a penalty.

Crescent went further ahead in the 31st minute when scrum-half Dara Ryan capitalised on constant pressure to score a try between the posts. Purcell kicked the conversion. However, Rockwell withstood Crescent's best attempts to further improve their lead and were relatively happy to turn around at the break just 10 points in arrears with the wind now at their backs.

With international number eight Denis Leamy in towering form, Rockwell rolled into the attack and narrowed the gap almost immediately when Leamy landed an easy penalty. They should have narrowed the gap further almost immediately after when failing badly to make use of a clear overlap. They didn't have to wait long, however, to get on terms.

Thirteen minutes of the second half had elapsed when centre Shane Stapleton dashed through for a well-taken try which Leamy converted with a great kick from the right hand touchline.

By this stage it was all Rockwell and the brilliant Leamy sealed the win with his second penalty in the 67th minute.

Rockwell: D O'Riordan; C McNaughton, B Mackey, S Stapleton, M Doyle; A Earley, G Purcell; J Clifford, J O'Donnell , K Sutcliffe (capt), E Macken, P Ryan, B O'Connor, T Fennessy , D Leamy. Replacements: F Quinlan for Fennessy

Crescent: J Cusack; R Likely, D Conway, B Tuohy, N O'Brien; A Purcell, D Ryan; R Callaghan, A Geoghegan, E McGovern, L Woulfe, S O'Neill, G Thompson, J O'Connor (capt), E Quinn. Replace- ments: M O`Neill for Conway and D Harris for O'Brien.

Referee: R McDowell (Munster).