Newpark did not have matters all their own way against relative new boys to schools' rugby Good Counsel from New Ross in this Leinster Senior Cup Section A quarter-final at Merrion Road.
In fact, Good Counsel managed to bustle the Blackrock school out of its stride for most of the first half, during which a try from strong-running right wing John Barron, converted by out-half Gary Conway, gave them a 7-5 lead at the halfway stage.
Newpark's try came from flanker Lorcan Jenkinson and it settled his side. As the game wore on, Newpark began to assert themselves technically and Counsel had their surprise possession severely reduced. Tries from centre Alan Casey and left wing Ronan Fennell at either end of the second half merely emphasised Newpark's greater know how.
Newpark CS: B McDaid; D Lundberg A Casey, D Readman, R Fennell; D Doran, D Griffin; G Weston, G Ryan, K Law, M Stewart, F Day, D Hanifin, L Jenkinson, S Murphy. Replacement: A Roche for Lundberg (62 mins).
Good Counsel: J Finn; J Barron, J Hernan, D Wall, J Dunne, G Conway; A O'Loughlin, J Bolger, C Farrell, J Maguire, W DOwnes, L Kehoe, B O'Donnell, J Redmond, D Conway. Replacement: P Sheehan for Wall (39 mins). Referee: A Rolland (ARLB).
