Hutton's penalty proves decisive

ST MICHAEL'S out half Colin Hutton put paid to the prospect of an all north side semi final between St Paul's and Belvedere, converting the winning penalty early in the second half of yesterday's Leinster Junior Cup quarter final at Donnybrook.

In a tight affair it had seemed that St Paul's might take the game, given their territorial advantage over the hour.

The early proceedings were dominated by St Michael's, however, with forwards Andrew Murphy and John Byrne showing to good effect. The pressure finally paid off when Hutton atoned for an earlier effort which hit the post when he sent over a straight forward penalty from 10 yards after 12 minutes.

St Paul's then began to win some quality ball in the line outs, thanks mainly of the efforts of second row David O Siochain.

And, after David Hempenstall had forced a five yard scrum with a clever chip ahead, the St Michael's pack were subsequently penalised to leave Hempenstall with a simple penalty conversion from in front of the posts.

They remained all square at the break, before Hutton put St Michael's back in front when a penalty kick from the left just managed to carry. St Paul's again applied the pressure in a bid to retrieve the tie but did not have the backs to break through.