Age and weight prove decisive

THE AGE and weight disparity between these two sides proved too great an obstacle for the lighter Templeogue to surmount in what proved a one-sided Leinster Schools' Senior Cup second round encounter at Westmanstown yesterday.

The recent introduction of a transition year at Templeogue resulted in the enrolment of 40 students in the Leaving Certificate for this year, which partially explains the presence of half a dozen under-16 year-olds in their starting line-up.

These youngsters were forced to concede vital ground to their physically stronger opponents in both back and forward exchanges, but they can at least draw a modicum of consolation from a gutsy display which ensured that their 40-plus points hammering in the league at the hands of Newbridge before Christmas was not repeated.

However, Newbridge recognised the advantage accruing from this weight discrepancy as they set out their attacking stall from the kick-off and it was no surprise when they surged into a ninth minute lead. A flowing move featuring Gordon Murphy and Paul Noble culminated in right-winger Niall Walsh displaying a great turn of pace to show a clean pair of heels to the Templeogue defence and dive over in the corner for a fine try. Out-half Murphy landed an excellent conversion.

The winners extended their lead in the 15th minute when number eight, Cathal Whelehan got a pushover try from the first ball won cleanly in the line-out by Eric Beehan after Newbridge elected to kick for touch rather than goal from a close range penalty. Murphy completed another excellent conversion to extend their interval lead to 14 points.

Templeogue out-half Cormac Smyth fluffed their only scoring opportunity from a penalty kick before a damp squib of a second half was enlivened temporarily in a four minute spell between the 37th and 41st minutes. Newbridge increased the tempo to record further touchdowns through full-back Paul Noble, which was converted by Murphy and leftwinger Mathew Newmman.

Scotland wing Ken Logan has been called into the Development side for their match with New South Wales at Netherdale on Sunday. Logan, capped 21 times but dropped after the defeat against Italy in Rieti, comes into the team for Heriot's wing Hugh Gilmour who has a leg injury.