Leinster Schools' Senior Cup / Gonzaga 15 Wesley 12: The scoreline suggests a close game and although Gonzaga had to contend with a late fightback, in truth the Ranelagh school were always in control as a commanding performance saw them through to the quarter-finals, at Lakelands yesterday.

The better team from the off, Gonzaga were, however, faced with fierce Wesley resistance early on and it wasn't until the 17th minute that they broke through. Their stronger pack - the difference throughout - forced a rolling maul over for Ireland under-19 prop James Gethings to touch down.

With Wesley still holding strong Gonzaga didn't add to the lead until just before half-time, Shane Gahan placing a penalty between the posts to make it 8-0 at the break.

Only minutes into the second half and Gonzaga were further ahead, their brilliant captain, Donogh O'Shea, breaking from a scrum to make the line just to the left of the posts. Gahan had an easy conversion to make it 0-15.

But just as in their Vinnie Murray Cup game against CUS, Wesley were not finished and staged a spirited late comeback. On 52 minutes, Henry Micks fed Richard Murphy for a sweeping try to the left. Micks then landed the conversion to keep the pressure up. With five minutes to go it was 15-12 after Murphy beat Dan O'Sullivan in a chase to the line to claim his second try.

However, the game ended in frustration for Wesley as Gonzaga kept cool and once again asserted their authority, pinning the Ballinteer school in their 22 for the remainder of the game, exactly where they didn't want to be.

Scorers: Gonzaga: J Gethings, D O'Shea try each; S Gahan con, pen. Wesley College: R Murphy 2 tries; H Micks con

GONZAGA: S Ryan; G Kane, D O'Cofaigh, S Gahan, C Burke; P O'Connor, M Healy; J Gethings, R Hanlon, J Moriarty, B Flinn, D O'Sullivan, G Fitzgerald, D O'Shea (capt), S Hodgins. Replacements: N Hanratty for Burke; D Kane for O'Sullivan

WESLEY COLLEGE: A Slazenger; R Murphy, D O'Doherty, S Caldwell, L Keogh; H Micks, B McLaughlin; J Dand, J Shaw, B Stafford, G Hunt, D Lyons, J Baugh-Foley, D McCarthy, S O'Kennedy. Replacements: J Brickenden for Shaw; G Condell for O'Doherty

Referee: R Doyle (ARLB).