Pres remain unbeaten in Senior Cup after victory over Ard Scoil Rís

Ard Scoil Rís 8-21 PBC

Pres were full value for their 21-8 victory over Ard Scoil Rís in the group stages of the Senior Schools Cup, played in wet and windy conditions in Limerick yesterday.

Both sides struggled to cope with the elements early on, but Pres took the lead after 18 minutes when Liam Ormond scored to the right of the posts, with Adam O’Brien adding the extras. Ard Scoil’s only points of the opening half came as Cian Casey kicked a penalty following a Pres high tackle, ASR 3-7 PBC.

PBC became far more dominant in the physical exchanges before the half-time break and were rewarded for a concerted period of pressure when PBC captain, Alex Kendellen, powered over close to the posts after a great line break by centre, Peter Hyland. Adam O’Brien had an easy task with the subsequent conversion, leaving the half time score, ASR 3-14 Pres.

After the interval, Pres again dominated possession but had to wait until midway through the half to add to their lead as Peter Hyland found space and crossed for a fine try, again converted by Adam O’Brien. ASR mounted a resurgence in the final stages and grabbed a try of their own following a mazy run from centre, David Smith who set up impressive ASR No. 8, Jack Ward Murphy, for a fine score.

Pres’ next outing in the competition will come in two weeks time, a home fixture in Wilton against Bandon Grammar.

1. Pres No 7, John Forde, offloads to back row colleague, Mark Deane.

Scorers:

Ard Scoil Rís: Tries: Jack Ward Murphy; Pens: Cian Casey

Presentation Brothers College: Tries: Liam Ormond, Alex Kendellen, Peter Hyland; Cons: Adam O’Brien (3).

PBC Team:

Daniel Squires; Daniel Hurley, James Keohane, Peter Hyland, Sean McLoughlin; Adam O’Brien; Liam Ormond; Ciaran O’Connor, Ben Comiskey, Darragh McSweeney, David O’Halloran, Jacob O’Brien, Mark Deane, John Forde, Alex Kendellen (Capt.)

Replacements: Keelan Cronin, James McCarthy, Luke O’Connor, Bevan Forde, Conall Harrington, Alex Walsh, Jeff Holden, David McCarthy.

Pres captain, Alex Kendellen, under pressure from the ASR defence