HOLDERS Belvedere College rumbled into the last eight of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup on the back of a marauding first half pack power play that dismantled plucky De la Salle Churchtown at Donnybrook yesterday.
A viciously swirling wind made expansive rugby a risky proposition. So, Belvedere adapted to the conditions and tended to keep the ball among the forwards. When out half Cormac Hynes did move the ball, his three quarters invariably turned back inside to the shelter of their pack.
Hence, it was no surprise that Belvedere's two first half tries came from surging mauls. On both occasions, hooker Robert Leyden was the man in possession when the line was breached.
Hynes converted Leyden's first touchdown after 24 minutes. His confidence had already been high from two crisply struck penalties in the first and ninth minutes. Belvedere led 18-0 at the break.
After the interval, De Ia Salle's tigerish approach, backed by the wind, kept Belvederc occupied in defence though the winners did have time to break out for outstanding flanker Martin Garvey to benefit from another maul after 44 minutes. De La Salle's only reward came in similar circumstances three minutes into injury time, when hooker Derek Doyle directed traffic up to and over the Belvedere line.
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