WITH five minutes remaining of this Smithwicks Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup semi-final at Anglesea Road last night, DLSP held a 12-10 lead, thanks to the goal-kicking of Tommy James.

By full-time, however, they had been sunk almost without trace as Blackrock exploded into life with quick-fire tries from scrum-half Assaf and right wing Paul O'Brien. Assaf's sparkling try, in particular, was one of individual brilliance.

That meant DLSP needed two scores and with injury time lurking, they knew the chance of an upset had flown.

Perhaps a little down-hearted DLSP let their concentration slip and Blackrock showed no mercy in striking almost immediately through O'Brien. The DLSP forwards had taken the fight to Blackrock. Perhaps their failure ultimately hung on their inability to force a try. For instance, they were behind 7-6 at the break, with Aidan Guinan's converted try superior to two James's penalties.

McGowan's 52nd minute penalty was sandwiched between two more from James in the third quarter, before Blackrock cut loose to set up a final meeting with Greystones on New Year's Day.