Pictured above are the combined Pres and Mauritz Hansen sides after their Senior friendly played in Wilton on Wednesday last.

PBC Seniors got their playing off to a competitive start with a narrow 28-24 loss to visiting South African touring side, Mauritz Hansen Select. Pres used the game to give playing time to 31 players, some of whom were playing Senior rugby for the school for the first time. First half tries from prop Darragh McSweeney and a superb brace from Daniel Hurley had Pres ahead at half time, 19-14.

A superbly created try finished by winger , David McCarthy, put Pres further ahead, 24-14, ten minutes after the restart. The raft of changes in the second half played its part in lessening the cohesion of the Pres side, who were disappointed to concede two late tries inside the last ten minutes, leaving the final score, 28-24, to the visitors.

All in all though, a very worthwhile exercise for our Seniors as they begin their regular season games with a mouth-watering tie against Leinster Senior Cup holders, St. Michaels, this coming Saturday in Wilton, KO 11.30am.