Clinical St Mary's stroll into last eight

Schools Rugby Leinster Senior Cup/St Mary's College - 34 St Gerard's School - 22: Perhaps the most significant aspect of yesterday's victory was that St Mary's barely revealed even a hint of weakness to future opposition. Clinical all over the field, the Rathmines rugby nursery strolled into the quarter-finals despite a pride-induced revival from St Gerard's that ensured a respectable final scoreline.

The Bray school's outhalf Kyle Tonetti orchestrated three tries late on, in yet another seven-try affair at Donnybrook, but it was the hugely impressive boot of his opposite number that resonates into the latter rounds.

St Mary's displayed the traditional flair out wide, none more so than young winger Ray Crotty, and equal prowess up front, especially openside scavenger Pádraig Lalor, but it is outhalf Neil Cowhey who is the jewel in their crown.

Cowhey kicked a perfect six from six with one penalty and three of the four conversions out near the touchline. If he can consistently repeat this form, St Mary's will stay in touch against any opposition in the competition.

St Gerard's were out of contention by half-time largely due to brittle tackling out wide but also because of some misfortune. Although, the better teams seem to always make their own luck.

With a Cowhey penalty already on the board, Crotty slipped three tackles down the right flank to cross for the first try on eight minutes. The winger almost repeated the trick moments later but was pulled back for a foot in touch.

It took over 20 minutes before they broke through again, although this time it was an unsteady St Gerard's scrum under the posts that allowed Lalor scoop up the loose ball and dive over the try-line.

Centre Jack Buggy profited from another bout of wafer-thin tackling, at the same corner flag, for try number three. Cowhey's conversion made it 24-3 at the break.

Sixteen minutes into the second half St Mary's completed their scoring when their impressive rolling maul allowed hooker Eamon Morris get over the line.

Although glimpses of St Gerard's ability had been apparent, it wasn't until this hopeless stage that they began to apply significant pressure down the other end.

After a few near misses, hooker Andrew Whelan popped up from midfield for their first try.

Then Burschi Wojnar, a decent player but well tracked throughout by some big St Mary's tackling, burrowed over close in for a second.

Tonetti added the conversions each time and also began probing for a gap in his opponents' rearguard.

One such half break, and delicate offload, saw number eight Michael Rosenstock over the line. He was brilliantly held up but St Gerard's pressure was now relentless and after several quick recycles, flanker Nick Kruseman came into the centre to put winger Eoin Deveney over for a try that rewarded their endeavour.

By that stage, however, St Mary's were already refocusing on a mouth-watering quarter-final; most probably against Castleknock College on February 19th.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 3 mins: N Cowhey pen, 3-0; 8: R Crotty try, 8-0; N Cowhey conv, 10-0; 20: K Tonetti pen, 10-3; 31: P Lalor try, 15-3; N Cowhey conv, 17-3; 34: J Buggy try, 22-3; N Cowhey conv, 24-3. Half-time: 24-3. 49 mins: N Cowhey pen, 27-3; 51: E Moran try, 32-3; N Cowhey conv, 34-3; 58: A Whelan try, 34-8; K Tonetti conv, 34-10; 63: B Wojnar try, 34-15; K Tonetti conv, 34-17; 70: E Deveney try, 34-22.

ST MARY'S COLLEGE: D Hudson; C Quinn, J Buggy, C McGlade, R Crotty; N Cowhey, K Finlay; M McKay, E Moran, D Kennedy; J Slowey, P Gannon; S Timmons, P Lalor, K Gallivan. Replacements: N Cunningham for J Buggy (56 mins), M Callinan for P Lalor (61 mins), D Beirne for K Finlay (64 mins).

ST GERARD'S SCHOOL: C Doherty; E Deveney, S Nelson, M Duffy, D Byrne; K Tonetti, S Campbell; D Byrne, A Whelan, J Kinsella; J Carroll, D Sinagoga; N Kruseman, B Wojnar, M Rosenstock. Replacements: S Deignan for D Sinagoga (43 mins), G Crotty for D Byrne (51 mins), D O'Rourke for D Byrne (54 mins).

Referee: K Beggs (ARLB).