Wilson survive late surge

SCHOOLS RUGBY McMULLEN CUP SEMI-FINALS: Wilson's Hospital 13 St Patrick's, Navan 10;A FIERCE final-quarter defensive effort enabled Wilson's Hospital to survive a late St Patrick's onslaught to qualify for the final at Edenderry yesterday.

Wilson’s were the more ambitious side with ball in hand. Scrumhalf Philip Butler’s chip down the blindside was taken on the run by centre Alan Brabazon, who ghosted around the last defender to touch down. Robert McMickan converted on the half hour.

Outhalf Andrew Douglas then landed an excellent drop goal before the break.

It was a long way back for Navan, more so after a McMickan penalty in the 38th minute.

From there on, the big St Patrick’s forwards decided to keep it tight. This paid dividends when hooker Darragh Mink was on the end of a drive to the line.

It got even tighter when openside Niall Carty suffocated an attempted clearance and pounced for Navan’s second try to set up a tense last 10 minutes as Wilson’s managed to hold their line.

WILSON'S HOSPITAL: Patrick Butler; N Greene, R McMickan, A Brabazon (M Montague 56), R Douglas; A Douglas, Philip Butler; T Biddulph, K Hales, D Brady, M Colton, A Claxton, J Gillmor, I Farrell, B Stewart.

ST PATRICK'S: F Mac tSaoi; A Morgan (B Clarke ht), P Meade, S Jordan, Q Manning; D Dalton, S Stafford; A St Ledger, D Mink, A Keating, A Meade, B Cunningham, A Smyth, N Carty, J Sheridan.

Referee: A Acheson (Leinster Branch).

Naas CBS 13 Newpark Comp 8

CENTRE CONOR Fitzsimons, normally a flanker, was the driving force at Ballycorus yesterday for CBS Naas.

His tackling closed down the Newpark midfield, and flanker Lorcan Murphy’s intercept try from 70 metres out, converted by outhalf Robert Campbell, gave Naas a 7-0 gap in the 19th minute.

Newpark’s quick rucking and ambitious handling gained reward shortly after when backrow Zac Jungmann broke through from fourth phase possession to close the divide to two points.

However, Campbell struck from straight in front of the posts when Newpark advanced offside on the half-time whistle. Then, fullback Fionan Leahy took the responsibility to slot another penalty.

CBS NAAS: F Leahy; D Redfearn, A Byrne (E Grogan 67), C Fitzsimons, M Tutty; R Campbell, I Kenny; E Daly, C Doolan, R Bryan, M Woods, K Downey, L Murphy, E Griffin, R Cronin (P O'Brien 53).

NEWPARK: S Crowe; E Black (O Duignan 14), F Halpin, R Sherlock, R Clarke (E O'Connor 64); M Halpin (J Kelly 41), E Thornley; A Marshall, R Heffernan (J Sheehan 41), S Reynolds, N Sundermann, R Garland, J Wheatley, Z Jungmann, L Hanratty (H Connor 45).

Referee: M Dowling (Leinster Branch).