OLD BELVEDERE, who were knocked out in the first round of the Leinster Senior Cup last year, negotiated the first hurdle with more success yesterday when they scored an unconvincing win, over DLSP in a scrappy, error ridden match at Anglesea Road.
Although Old Belvedere had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, DLSP's mobile forwards, ably led by hooker Phil Werahiko, more than held their own with the division one side's heavier pack.
John Philpott did kick two penalties in the 17th and 37th minutes, but given that DLSP would have the wind at their backs in the second half, that six-point lead scarcely looked sufficient.
However, the forced departure of Werahiko with a hand injury at half-time deprived the DLSP pack of its main driving force.
Full back Stephen Gormley did narrow the gap to three points with a penalty at the end of the third quarter but when their tiring forwards were penalised at rucks in front of the posts three times in the last ten minutes, Philpott made no mistake.
DLSP captain and serum half Brian Hogan, rounded off a fine individual performance with the game's only try deep in injury time.
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