THE superior power and strength of the Belvedere pack proved the decisive factor as defending champions Belvedere steam rolled to victory in their first-round meeting with Glasthule in the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup (Section B).

Belvedere opened their account after eight minutes when some powerful driving from their pack put prop forward Peter O'Donnell over between the posts. The script changed little for the remainder of the game.

The Glasthule side did play with some style in the first 20 minutes. But when they reached the final third of the pitch, they ran into a brick wall that was the Belvedere defence.

By half-time the Dun Laoghaire side trailed by 19 points, after two more Belvedere tries from Donagh Fitzgerald and Nathy Groarke in the 10th and 21st minute, respectively. Captain Cormac Hynes kicked two of his three first-half conversion attempts.

Section A runners-up Glasthule had to score early in the second half if they were to have any chance. But they never looked like penetrating Belvedere's defence.

Belvedere ran in seven more tries in the second half, the best of which came from winger Brian O'Brien eight minutes from time. O'Brien, who looked dangerous throughout the 60 minutes, received the ball on the wing and left the Glasthule defence for dead with his lightning speed.