FOR New Zealand's number one international referee, Paddy O'Brien, this may not quite have been the Calcutta Cup yesterday. But it certainly wasn't quiet under the Donnybrook rafters, as one of the pre-Leinster Schools' Cup favourites, Clongowes, were pushed and tackled all the way by Gonzaga College in the second round.

This was a performance not in keeping with the Clongowes Wood reputation for relentless consistency. Gonzaga made the most of this, in devilishly nicking possession at the breakdown and at the lineout, where John Freeman and Diarmuid Ryan matched Clongowes athletic pair of Peter Callanan and Des Dillon.

However, Gonzaga's problems started and finished when their three-quarter line were presented with the opportunity to unhinge Clongowes. They looked far more comfortable hammering into a man in possession than avoiding the would-be Clongowes tacklers when they themselves had the ball.

With this in mind, one felt that if Clongowes didn't give away penalties within kicking range, Gonzaga would struggle to get through for the necessary tries. By and large, the Kildare school kept its discipline. But handling in a ruck gave centre Brian McCloskey the chance to kick Gonzaga into a 3-0 lead on 10 minutes.

Clongowes fullback Gordan D'Arcy showed a knack throughout for punching holes in the opposition defence. But equally, he revealed a reluctance to part with the ball when others outside him were in a better attacking position. This was the case in the 28th minute, but on this occasion nonetheless Clongowes recycled the ruck ball by Richard Kearney and Rory MacEneaney to combine for right wing Nat Lacy to go over in the right corner.

After the break, replacement out-half Barry Denham had a dropped goal attempt blocked, but he produced a weaving run that brought him to within inches of the line. When the tackle eventually came in, he let in Kearney for the decisive try. Left wing David Hourihane converted, and increased his side's lead from a 41st minute penalty.

With a lead to protect, Clongowes spent the remainder of the game on the back foot. Although a little shorn of ideas, Gonzaga welcomed the invitation to perforate the Clongowes defence. And they did just that when Justin Howlett powered over in the 58th minute. But that was the extent of their success.