Skelton shows the way

Naas CBS ... 17 St Columba's ... 7: A try by number eight Luke Denver 12 minutes into injury-time guaranteed Naas the Leinster Schools Section A Junior Cup on their first appearance in the competition at Lakelands Park yesterday.

This was a superb advertisement for the game in the weaker section, as both sides sought to keep the ball in hand. The difference was the kicking skills of Naas outhalf Michael Skelton, especially from open play.

Naas could have been out of sight by the break. They had penalties from Skelton and scrumhalf Colin O'Brien in the sixth and 26th minutes, respectively. In between, they missed three further opportunities between them.

On the restart, St Columba's threw everything at the Naas defence. Centre Adam Philpot and full back Julian Cafolla were always a danger on the run and, eventually, Cafolla forced his way over from close-in on the 42nd minute and added the points himself for a 7-6 lead.

It was O'Brien who put the winners back in front and Skelton tacked on another penalty, before Denver blasted through from a five-metre scrum.

NAAS CBS: S Bergin; J Whelan, S Bennett, C Young, P Burke; M Skelton, C O'Brien; R Brosnan, D Ryan, D Moore, R Murphy, A O'Hara, K McDonnell, E Hughes, L Denver. Replacements: C Rice for Hughes (42 mins).

ST COLUMBA'S COLLEGE: J Cafolla; S Crawford, A Mitchell, A Philpot, C Cousans; R Cork, B Cork; C Erwin, P Wardell, N Grumbley, B Dunne, O Harrison, W Evans, J Moore, B Rhodes-Vivour. Replacements: K Harrison for Dunne (h-t), P Kam for Wardell, J Warren for Cousans, A Dean for Cafolla (all 45 mins); A Henk for Erwin (55 mins); L Lewis for R Cork (59 mins).

Referee: R Acheson, Leinster Branch.