Irish boys make it grim up north for England

England Schools 8 Ireland Schools 12 The Irish schools PSV picked up an excellent scalp last night when they beat England 12…

England Schools 8 Ireland Schools 12The Irish schools PSV picked up an excellent scalp last night when they beat England 12-8 at Kingston Park, in Newcastle. After victory over Wales last week, they will be seeking a clean sweep when they travel to France next Saturday.

Barry O'Mahony got Ireland's opening try before half-time, which was converted by Robert Kearney.

They stretched their lead to 12 points midway through the second half when hooker Seán Cronin crossed out wide after good build-up play from the excellent Duncan Williams.

English full back Ryan Davis reduced the deficit with a penalty but they failed to breach the visitors' line until Joe Ansbro touched down late on.

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The victory had its roots in some staunch defending from the Irish, typified by the centre pairing of Tom Gleeson and Darren Cave, while the back row produced a solid display.

Scorers: Ireland - B O'Mahony, S Cronin tries, R Kearney con. England: R Davis pen, J Ansbro try.

IRELAND: R Kearney (Clongowes Wood College); R Drysdale (Belfast Royal Academy), T Gleeson (PBC Cork), D Cave (Sullivan Upper School), P Shallow (Rockwell College); C Doyle (Ard Scoil Rís), D Williams (CBC Cork); T O'Kane (St Gerard's School), S Cronin (Ard Scoil Rís), P Collins (Templeogue College); J Cornett (Royal School Armagh), D Toner (Castleknock College); D Laffan (Blackrock College, capt), B O'Mahony (Crescent College), D Pollock (Royal School Dungannon). Replacements: J Shortt (CBC, Cork) for Drysdale; D O'Reilly (Blackrock College) for Cornett; L Casey (Ard Scoil Rís) for Collins.