THE St Michael's dream of success in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup is still alive, but only just, thanks to a 65th minute try by winger Fiachre Baynes after the Ballsbridge side were given the fright of their lives by St Mary's at Donnybrook.

This was a game that St Michael's should have won comfortably, given the amount of time they had St Mary's pressed deep in their own half. But staunch defence, with their centres Mark McCormack and Colm McWeeney typifying that defiance, with out-half Dudley Phillips's clearance kicks more than helpful, ensured that the winners had to endure many anxious moments.

St Michael's were forced to line out without their captain and number eight Peter Shanley, sidelined through injury. But he duly appeared in the 40th minute and his presence had a galvanising effect on his team-mates.

Barry McMahon opened the scoring for St Michael's after a quarter of an hour with a penalty. Earlier the defence looked to have been breached but Baynes was brought down to earth with a heavy tackle. The restart was the first time that St Mary's had managed to get into the St Michael's 25. Eight minutes later, McCormack had the sides level but McMahon edged his side in front again with another penalty.

St Mary's dominated the lineouts with Garrett Lloyd the towering figure. He also impressed with his general play. Indeed from a line-out Lloyd set up his side's try in the 29th minute. Alan Harrison fed McCormack who with a scything run stretched the cover. Winger James Norton was following up in support and he dived over for the touchdown with McCormack adding the points. Thus, St Mary's led 10-6 at the break.

A minute into the second half, McCormack landed his third penalty but a change of place kicker for St Michael's, with out-half Peter Maughan taking over, saw the gap narrowed to four points. St Michael's continued to dominate but with the clock ticking down, a measure of panic was setting in and consequently the wrong option was often taken. However it all came right in the end. Maughan found touch and from the resultant line-out and ruck, Karl Becker's pass found Baynes who burst down the blindside. Dara MacCaba also handled before Baynes managed to dive over for the decisive score.

But Belvedere may prove a more difficult assignment in the quarter-final.