High School find line even in mud

High School 21, Wesley College 10:  High School may have been slightly flattered by the margin of success but there could be no doubting their worthiness in winning yesterday's clash at Donnybrook.

The elements militated against good rugby. A strong wind, occasionally augmented by rain, blew down the pitch, and the muddy underfoot conditions made it very difficult for both teams. It didn't deter either from pursuing an expansive approach, and the wingers did not wither away from hypothermia.

It was Wesley who started marginally the brighter, and lively scrumhalf Peter Beirne had an early penalty opportunity from 22 metres but pulled it narrowly wide.

High School gradually asserted themselves and took the lead on 18 minutes. Captain and tighthead prop Tennyson Egar rumbled around the blindside from a well-worked lineout in the Wesley 22 and might have given Alex Feldman a scoring pass.

Instead he was caught by the cover, but two rucks later Ross Condron ran a very intelligent angle to cross for a fine try. Right wing Daniel Vard kicked the conversion.

Wesley finally managed the points that their efforts deserved on 29 minutes when Beirne kicked a 20-metre penalty but the scrumhalf could not avail of two further opportunities before the interval, albeit they were not straightforward in the conditions.

Wesley managed to wrest the lead from High School in bizarre fashion three minutes after the interval. Left wing Gordon Clark, in chasing a kick to touch, stole in as three High School players dallied to win a touch down he should never have got near. Beirne kicked a magnificent conversion from the touchline to put Wesley 10-7 in front.

High School responded by summoning Rob Smyth, normally a first-choice player, from the bench. The first time he touched the ball he made a 20-metre break on the blindside from a scrum. From the ensuing ruck the ball was moved to Brian Logan in the centre and he showed great pace to ease through a gap and cross for the try.

Vard converted, as he would do for a third time on 57 minutes when Robbie Burns crossed for his side's third try. Francis Cooney created the opportunity with some excellent footwork and pace that took him past several defenders.

Scoring sequence: 18 mins: R Condron try, Vard conversion, 7-0; 29: Beirne penalty, 7-3. Half-time: 7-3. 38: Clark try, Beirne conversion, 7-10; 49: Logan try, Vard conversion, 14-10; 57: Burns try, Vard conversion, 21-10.

High School: N O'Shea; D Vard, D Foran, B Logan, A Feldman; E McNally, M D'Arcy; S Goldsmith, D Sheridan, T Egar (capt), T Eager, A Leahy, F Cooney, R Burns, R Condron. Replacements: D Lee for Goldsmith (41 mins); R Smyth for O'Shea (48 mins); J Collery for Sheridan (57 mins); C Harding for Leahy (68 mins).

Wesley College: D Heelan; R Lawlor, C Sargeant, D Hill, G Clark; D Woolmington, P Beirne; G Matthews, A Gray, N Ardill, R Rhynhart, D O'Connor (capt), P Rowe, O Caillabet, C Wallace. Replacements: R Green for Sargeant (half-time); A Elawwer for Matthews (53 min); J Power for Caillabet (64 mins).

Referee: J Nolan (Leinster).