Schools Rugby Leinster Junior Cup final: Blackrock - 21 Presentation - 5 The manner in which Blackrock College claimed their 43rd Junior Cup was a testament to a fine squad of players, performing to their potential.
They had to against a Pres Bray side for whom their captain and the competition's outstanding player, Jason Harris-Wright, was inspirational.
Blackrock's side overflowed with talent. Outhalf Ian Madigan and wing forward Robert Smith were both excellent in every match, while prop Kyle Cahill constantly took the ball over the gain line. Scrumhalf Conor Crowley's delivery was crisp and efficient.
Their success is even more commendable considering captain Shane Rogers was a shadow of his usual self after just returning from illness. On 38 minutes he was replaced by Jan Simon-Byrne, another player who would have left a greater imprint on affairs if not for a broken ankle earlier in the season.
A tight, engaging contest was decided in a six-minute period, early in the second-half, when Madigan twice fed full back Niall Morris with delightful skip passes that allowed the rangy runner to cross under the posts.
The first came after a Madigan penalty, which fell short, was knocked on a yard from the line. The try came off the ensuing scrum. The second was a similar move except it was executed 50 yards further out; Morris still had his opposite number to beat, which he did with aplomb. Madigan added the conversions and that seemed like that.
But back came the Bray school with renewed vigour. Burly winger Richie Mooney made the first serious break down the line but Smith tackled him into touch.
Then came a Harris-Wright cameo. The number eight swatted off two would-be tacklers before stepping inside - it seemed like the whole covering Blackrock pack was required to drag him down.
When sprightly outhalf Roddy Carroll was inches short of touching down, after he blocked Madigan's attempted clearance, they looked to have used up all their chances. But from the ensuing five-yard scrum Harris-Wright flung himself into the sturdy Blackrock rearguard for the umpteenth time. He was held up and turned over but the clearance failed to find touch and after concerted pressure Harris-Wright popped up out wide, drew two defenders before putting Peter Walsh over in the corner.
However, there was to be no fairytale ending as in the final minute, Morris delivered a deft pass to winger Robert Johnson, coming in off the blindside, and he sprinted clear to the line. After Madigan's conversion the celebrations were guaranteed.
Scoring sequence: 37 mins: N Morris try, 5-0; I Madigan con, 7-0; 43: Morris try, 12-0; Madigan con, 14-0; 58: P Walsh try, 14-5; 60: R Johnson try, 19-5; Madigan con, 21-5.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: N Morris; D Sherry, S Rogers, J Ronan, D Fitzpatrick; I Madigan, C Crowley; J Leyden, M O'Brien, K Cahill R Quigley, R Ronayne C McCarthy, R Smith, P McCormack. Replacements: J Simon-Byrne for Rogers (38 mins); D Tunney for Leyden (41); R Johnson for Ronan (54).
PRESENTATION, BRAY: P Duggan; P Walsh, L Duff, K Grace, R Mooney; R Carroll, P Barry; R Coleman, S Richardson, A Feighery, R Breslin, A Dempsey, J Downey, D Snow, J Harris-Wright. Replacements: C Quinn for Coleman (40 mins).
Referee: K Henley-Willis (ARLB).
