Blackrock's young guns go for it

"When Blackrock College are third from bottom of the league, then games such as the one today are all about pressure." That was the considered opinion of their coach, George Hook, following a runaway victory over pointless Old Belvedere at Stradbrook on Saturday.

"In the first half, we didn't exhibit a lot of control. Too many errors on our part allowed Belvo' to take possession and we conceded enough penalties for Billy Tracey to keep them in front until the break," said Hook.

"After that, we played to the best traditions of Blackrock College rugby. Leo Cullen was a colossus and Peter Smyth did a wonderful job in filling for Shane Byrne at hooker. There is no doubt that we have some of the most outstanding young talents in the country, and hopefully in time, we will be challenging for the title."

As it is, Blackrock were just satisfied to ease the dreaded thoughts of relegation. The same can not be said for hapless Belvedere. Despite the perfect start that yielded an early Tracey penalty and his conversion of Ronan Browne's opportunist try, Belvedere were never comfortable and Blackrock were not long in overhauling them. Two converted tries from number eight Dave Moore and Tony Goldfinch gave the home side a glimpse of the lead by the 31st minute. This was short-lived, however. A brace of penalties from the razor-sharp Tracey saw his side ahead at the break.

Thereafter, Blackrock limited Belvedere to the odd intrusion into home territory in a second half that began with replacement out-half Owen Cobbe kicking two expert penalties.

Blackrock's patterns of attack were woven with more authority. Centre Brian Carey burst into prominent positions on three occasions with only the final pass failing to go to hand. One felt a breakthrough was only a matter of time. And so it turned out. Tom Keating, David Hackett and David Johnson contributed tries in a late flurry that eased all Blackrock's anxieties. Old Belvedere coach Stephen Dodds did his utmost to absorb the recriminations of such a resounding loss. `We made too many mistakes in the first half, in the second half and all season, so far."

Scoring sequence: 9 minutes - B Tracey penalty 0-3; 16 -R Browne try, Tracey conversion 0-10; 19 - D Moore try, A McGowan conversion 7-10; 23 - Tracey penalty 7-13; 31 - T Goldfinch try, McGowan conversion 14-13; 34 - Tracey penalty 14-16; 37 - McGowan penalty 17-16; 40 - Tracey penalty 17-19; 44 - O Cobbe penalty 20-19; 51 - Cobbe penalty 2319; 59 - T Keating try, Cobbe conversion 3019; 66 - D Hackett try, Cobbe conversion 3719; D Johnson try, Cobbe 44-19.

Blackrock College: T Keating; M Jackson, B Carey, D Quinlan, A Guinan; A McGowan, A Boyd; P Flavin, P Smyth, P Jordan; L Cullen, H Kos; D Hackett, T Golffinch, D Moore. Replacements: O Cobbe for McGowan half-time; D Kavanagh for Jordan, D Johnson for Jackson, both 58 minutes.

Old Belvedere: P McKenna; S Sexton, S Tormey, C Bewlet, R Browne; B Tracey, B Murphy; R Ward, J Mion, T Kearns; H McDonnell, M Henderson; F O'Beirne, D Shanley, S Walsh. Replacements: G McDowell for Murphy 32 mins; N Francis for McDonnell 34 mins.

Referee: D Courtney.