THE secret to this Leinster Schools' Junior Cup quarter final at Stradbrook yesterday lay in the strength of the Newbridge College pack, particularly their front row.

CBC Monkstown saw Newbridge hooker Hugh Garrett take three strikes against the head in the first half alone, while giant props Dermot Conneely and Barry Cullen provided a rock solid scrummaging platform for the back row and half backs.

Conneely made the initial breakthrough in the 13th minute when he crashed over from close in, after number eight John O'Sullivan, scrum half Andrew Guckian, his partner Niall Morrissey and, full back Alan Lane had conspired to bring play within metres of the Monkstown line.

After this Monkstown got a foothold in Newbridge territory for scrum half Enda Cawley to slot a penalty in the 27th minute when centre Barry O'Sullivan had been tempted into interfering with the ball on the ground.

Minutes later O'Sullivan retired injured after colliding with his own left wing David McDonald.

However, just before the interval, the diminutive Guckian squeezed over to the left of the posts after Monkstown had repelled the initial driving effort from number eight O Sullivan. Lane converted to make it 12-3 at the break.

Lane punished the losers further with a penalty in the 39th minute, before McDonald dived over in the corner to make the game safe for Newbridge.

After this, Monkstown sought out left wing Oscar Nolan in an attempt to revive hopes of a comeback. Twice he threatened the Newbridge defence but another Garrett strike against the head enabled the industrious O'Sullivan to make it to the line.