St Conleth's - 20, Skerries CC - 16

The late intervention of Leinster Schools A centre Barry Rogerson lifted St Conleth's College into the Section A semi-finals at Merrion Road yesterday.

Holders Skerries looked the more likely winners when outhalf Conal Keane kicked a 44th-minute penalty to put them 16-10 ahead. At this point, the bigger Skerries back row of John Crowell and the Sherlock brothers, James and Paul, who each contributed a try, were having a big effect on their game. But St Conleth's always had the more dangerous backs, with right wing Ian Lavelle, who scored a first-half try, and Vincent Gough blessed with serious speed. Yet it was Rogerson who had all the answers. He kicked the conversion to his try in the 61st minute to give his side a 1716 lead. Skerries had plenty of time to use their big pack to force a scoring opportunity, but St Conleth's defended stoutly and Rogerson slotted his second penalty four minutes into injury time.

ST CONLETH'S COLLEGE: J Doherty; I Lavelle, V Gough, B Rogerson, E Fennessy; T Donnelly, D McGovern; J Galligan, J Murphy, S Hynes, I Elliott, P Ainscough, M McSharry, P Creedon, M Ryan.

SKERRIES CC: A Murtagh; P White, D Kirwan, M Kirwan, E Jenkinson; C Keane, M Heeney; E O'Byrne, S Burton, B Murphy, R Brick, D Lee, J Crowell, J Sherlock, P Sherlock. Replacements: A Quinn for Jenkinson (53 mins), R Shorthall for O'Byrne (61 mins).

Referee: S Murphy (ARLB).

Powell crosses twice in Wilson's rush