Kilkenny College safely cleared the first hurdle to book a place in the quarter-final of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup yesterday. Their defeat of Templeogue College means they have at least emulated last year's performance. Kilkenny, who participated in Section A of the competition until recently, came through thanks to an impressive performance by their pack.

Out-half Russell Armstrong gave them the lead with a penalty in the third minute. Although they never fell behind, the game was a closely contested affair between two schools who have never won the competition.

Persistent Kilkenny pressure yielded another Armstrong penalty in the 10th minute. However, their advantage was trimmed to 6-3 after Conor McPhillips converted a penalty for the Dublin school just before half-time.

Kilkenny were on top for most of the second half, but almost conceded a try near the end when Templeogue came very close to crossing their line.

Kilkenny College: A Carson; P Furney, (capt), W Gethings, C Peavoy, R Deverell; R Armstrong, R Jones; D Rothwell, D James, E Connor, J Kidd, A Copeland, E Stanley, N Holland, R Whitford.

Templeogue College: S Joyce; N Collins, A Coghlan, C McPhillips (capt), B Bates; C Nevin, B McKiernan; R Conway, B Murphy, P Dennehy, D Brady, E Gormley, G Edgeworth, D Rafferty, O Morris. Replacement: K McInerney for Rafferty.