Schools Rugby/Gonzaga College 16, Kilkenny College 14: Gonzaga College made better use of the opportunities that came their way to win this opening round tie at Naas yesterday.

They defended better throughout and had a fine place kicker in outhalf Michael Boland, who converted four penalties and a conversion.

However Kilkenny College made the better start. Flanker Ian Condell was first to react when a Kilkenny penalty failed to reach the target, taking possession and crossing the line after four minutes.

Gonzaga replied with a Boland penalty and the outhalf edged them into the lead with a second penalty in the 29th minute.

Most of the Gonzaga three quarter line were involved in a move which yielded a try by Shane Hanratty in the 33rd minute and Boland's conversion gave them an eight-point lead. However, a well taken penalty by Gary Jones cut Gonzaga's half-time lead to 13-8.

The second half was more closely contested and although Kilkenny came very close to the Gonzaga line on a number of occasions the Dublin school's defence held out.

Kilkenny were left with too much to do when Shane Gahan crossed for a second Gonzaga try in the 43rd.Two penalties each from Jones and Boland in the closing minutes maintained the 10-point margin between the sides.

GONZAGA COLLEGE: M Kelly; S Gahan, S Hanratty, P Arnold, S Ryan; M Boland, S Mitton; J Gethings, R Upton, B Hannon; D O'Sullivan, S Hodgins; J Egan, D O'Shea, T O'Dea. Replacement: J Moriarty for O'Sullivan.

KILKENNY COLLEGE: D Brennan; A Handcock, P Zerafa, S Cassells, I Watchorn; G Jones, E Cross; O Crawford, W Cooper, K Hanbidge; A Mathews, R Copeland; K Murphy, I Condell, R Connor. Replacements: T Roe for Handcock, C Hogan for Crawford, S Meredith for Cooper, G Claxton for Cross.

Referee: P Haycock (ARLB).