A SUPERB try by flanker James Doyle was one of the few illuminating moments of "this ill-tempered Leinster Schools Senior Cup first round tie at Donnybrook in which Presentation Bray fully deserved their victory.
This was CUS's 100th year iii the competition and their participation this year is surely not one which they will remember with pride. This was a niggardly game with the Leeson Street side responsible for most of the loose kicks and late tackles which saw three of the squad spoken to by referee Norman Lynas. Indeed as early as the second moment Lynas had cause to intervene.
The ugly scenes were continued after the final whistle but thankfully order was restored before matters got out of hand.
That Bray were fully worth their victory is undeniable but if they had a reliable place kicker, they would surely have had a more comfortable margin. Andrew Hogan was charged with the responsibility but he obviously forgot to bring his kicking boots. Indeed, Hogan had six penalty efforts with at least half of them within range but only one looked remotely like reaching the target.
Bray's outstanding jumper Ivan Goor ensured that his side enjoyed a monopoly in the line-outs on both his own and CUS throw-ins and this was the platform for which they-launched most of their attacks. But desperate tackling by CUS ensured that their line remained intact by the break.
Indeed one flowing movement in the opening period saw full-back Cormac Dowling move into the line following his interception of a Shane Willis pass and while Daniel Mantle gave support, the move inside gave CUS time to recover and tackle just in time.
Dowling came more into the line after the break and his break was largely instrumental in the decisive score after 40 minutes. Scrum-half O'Connor fed Willis from a ruck and Dowling changed the direction of the attack from left to right. When Dowling broke, Doyle was following up and the full-back delivered thee pass at the right moment for the flanker to dive over in the corner to secure the passage into the next round.
