OLD BELVEDERE, pulled the welcome mat from under Suttonians feet last night with an improved second half performance in the Smithwicks Floodlit Cup quarter final at Anglesea Road.

Early on, Old Belvedere showed the sort of kindness normally reserved for the post match hospitality as Suttonians eased into control. A break from centre Robbie Grant created the space outside for full back Rory Gallagher to get in the right corner. Out half Russell Southam slotted over the conversion, to further fudge the supposed gulf in class between these sides from divisions one and four.

Which was which? Few could tell and the similarity of both sides colours made the job even more difficult.

The home team's response was not immediate, but Cormac Johnstone got them moving in the 28th minute with a try. Justice was done as left wing Craig Colgan had been obstructed when in full flight just beforehand.

Old Belvedere cut out the errors after the break and Barry Murphy's 43rd minute penalty put them in front. With the Suttonians pack wilting under a torrent of driving, Paddy Gavin skated 45 metres up the right wing to punish a hesitant defence at the end of the third quarter.

Shortly afterwards, captain Steve Tormey put the finishing touch to a move born of full back Damian Kenny's opportunism. Scrum half Murphy converted this time and also added the points to the last two tries. These was due reward for the perpetual beavering of flanker Hugh McDonnell and the darting of fullback Kenny into the line.