FLANKER Karl O'Brien's late try, converted by Shane Doherty, proved the winner in a closely fought tie at Anglesea Road yesterday between two teams, neither of whom would have been among the favourites for ultimate honours on March 17th at Lansdowne Road.

St Andrew's camped in the Templeogue half for the first 20 minutes. By this time, out half Adam Shehabeddin had missed two penalties. But this was made up for by an electrifying try from full back Eoghan McNamara, whose defence splitting incision carried him to the Templeogue line after 11 minutes. Shehabeddin failed to convert.

In mitigation, none of these kicks were easy and the out half did kick well enough out of his hands to give St Andrew's every opportunity to extend their lead.

As it was, Templeogue's eventual hero, centre Doherty, kicked a penalty after 22 minutes. This was the only other score of the first half.

Templeogue's line out started to cause - St Andrew's problems - and when replacement Enda Gormley came on for flanker Paul Tully, the Booterstown school's problems escalated. Gormley was easily the tallest player on the pitch and won seven line outs in the last 25 minutes.

Nevertheless, when Shehabeddin shot a simple penalty with only five minutes left, it looked as if all Templeogue's possession would count for nothing. Enter O'Brien. His quickly taken tap penalty ended with him driving over the St Andrew's line amid a forest of legs. With his teammates still celebrating, Doherty stepped up to slot the winning conversion.