The big one of schools rugby in Leinster kicked off yesterday, and competition favourites Terenure made it over the first hurdle.
The first round is the trickiest one for the favourites in any tournament. If they can get over that hurdle, the talent in any well-fancied squad can relax and play to their full potential. So how did Terenure handle their first day out yesterday at Donnybrook against Belvedere? They did enough, that’s the main thing, but there is lots of room for improvement.
Despite the talent they posses in the backs, it was hooker Andy Roche who scored both tries for Terenure, the first a push over effort that came after just four minutes. But rather than setting the platform for a comfortable win, Belvedere dug in. The conversion was missed and the remainder of the half was scoreless, giving Terenure a very nervy 5-0 lead at the whistle.
Belvedere kept it tight but they could not force an opening. A penalty attempt by Gerard Young was wayward and minutes later Roche had double his side’s lead with an almost identical try and while the conversion was also missed, a Billy Dardis penalty put Terenure 13-0 up.
Belvedere never gave up and Young scored a cracker, and converted it, to narrow the gap to just six with minutes left. However, despite building up a head of steam, Belvedere couldn’t get the decisive score and Terenure progress by a score of 13-7.
Two more games take place today, with Presentation Bray taking on Kilkenny College at 2.30 in North Kildare Rugby Club while Kings Hospital School face Newbridge at the same time in Maynooth.
We’re off and running, but Terenure will feel they can only get better. A perfect start in many ways then.
