THE greater level of experience was a crucial factor in the Smithwicks Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup tie at Anglesea Road last night when First Division League side Old Wesley prevailed over the enthusiastic and full hearted challenge presented by Fourth Division League side Dublin University.
In the end Old Wesley the defending champions and specialists in this competition - they have win it three times and been finalists on five occasions - won by 19-12. They had to withstand a vibrant rally by the students before clinching their success.
Nowhere was Old Wesley's experience more pronounced or telling than at outside half. Here Old Wesley had in Adrian Hawe, a survivor from their 1985 Leinster Cup winning side, the most accomplished back on the field.
He made a personal contribution of 14 points with four penalty goals and a conversion of the game's only try scored by his accomplished partner Des Jackson. Hawe had six kicks at goal and was on target with five, a very good average on a heavy surface.
Trinity were the more adventurous side and some of full-back Bran Quinn's runs at times stretched the Old Wesley defence. But on occasions promising moves did not produce the dividend as wrong options were or the step too far were taken.
In addition, Trinity's outside half Colin Morgan could not match Hawe's kicking accuracy. He had started very well by kicking penalties in the third and 10th minutes to put his side six points in front but thereafter the ratio of success dropped appreciably and he ended with a return of four successful kicks from eight attempts.
After Hawe had been wide with his first kick at goal, he brought his level by the 23rd minute with penalties. Morgan missed three kicks at goal in the six minutes immediately preceding the interval and it was 6-6 at the break. And while at times the greater level of experience in the Old Wesley pack asserted itself, Trinity were quick in the loose and won reasonable set piece possession.
Five minutes after the interval, Old Wesley scored their try when Jackson got over after a line out his 99th try in senior rugby for the club Hawe kicked an excellent conversion to give his side a seven punts lead. That was cut to 13-9 when Morgan had this third successful kick at goal in the 52nd minute but Hawe restored thee seven points margin with a similar effort midway through the half.
Old Wesley protected their seven points advantage in the face of some determined at tacking and Hawe's long and accurate clearances were invaluable to the defending champions who now meet St Mary's College.
