Rouine spurs Newbridge

Newbridge took a while to find their stride in the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup tie at Donnybrook yesterday, although once they did, they caused nothing but trouble for Wesley College.

For a long time, though, it seemed that Newbridge might not be the formidable side that so many people have anticipated. With more strength than size, they certainly have the potential to go a few rounds further if, for a start, their backs can organise their handling a little better.

Instead, it required two self-inspired efforts from centre Shane Rouine to put any creativity into their attack. Rouine claimed his first try minutes before the break with a turn of speed from just outside his own half that nobody could match. Shortly after the restart, he added a second with equal determination although with somewhat more blocking from Wesley's backs.

Ken Taylor missed two penalty chances that could have claimed a few points for Wesley, while David Heelan at full-back was, for the most part, playing a more defensive game than he would have liked.

In the meantime, Newbridge fullback Barry Flanagan was displaying some fine kicking form that saw him add both conversions for Rouine's tries as well as two penalties. Now trailing 20-0 with some 10 minutes left, Wesley's hopes of an upset were over.

Left wing Philip Rowe and Joseph Henderson in the centre were the most dangerous on the attack for Wesley, but unfortunately they lacked adequate delivery from the half-backs to truly threaten. So with their dominance growing all the time, Newbridge were able to run out the closing minutes with pushover tries from captain Jonathon Holmes and Eric Tully.

Scoring sequence: 2 mins: Flanagan penalty, 3-0; 28 mins: Rouine try, Flanagan conversion, 100; 37 mins: Rouine try, Flanagan conversion, 17-0; 39 mins: Flanagan penalty, 20-0; 49 mins: Holmes try, Flanagan conversion, 27-0; 58 mins: Tully try, 32-0.

Newbridge College: B Flanagan; E Burns, S Rouine, A Clarke, M Smith; J Murphy, M McGrath; D Kerin, L Jacobs, I O'Connor, E Tully, D Snell, J Holmes, R Finan, A Kavanagh. Replace- ments: E Harney for Murphy (38 mins), D Griffin for Smith, R Price for Finan (both 46 mins), J Gamble for McGrath (49 mins).

Wesley College: D Heelan; J Henderson, K Taylor, A Blennerhasset, P Rowe; A Large, P Blakeney; P Richardson, A McQuiad, J Spendlove, C Jackson, R Rynhart, M Maguire, D Richardson, A Elanwer. Replacements: C Roberts for Rynhart (37 mins), G Holmes for Rowe (47 mins), A Gray for Spendlove (54 mins).

Referee: D Bolger (ARLB).