THE annual fixture between the Leinster Under-19 side and the Ireland Schools' side at Donnybrook on Saturday was sufficiently entertaining to make patronage of the young well worthwhile on a very cold afternoon.

The match also brought a deserved victory for the schools, by 31 points to 21, and that success levelled the series at seven wins each.

The fixture had added significance this season as Ireland will play in the FIRA Under-19 international competition in Argentina in March.

That impending assignment was a factor in the major reshuffle of the Leinster side in the second half. Only three Leinster forwards played the 70 minutes - hooker Simon Elkinson, second row Brian McDonald and number eight Donnach O'Donohue. Leinster also brought in a new half back pairing at the interval.

The schools proved that they were equal to the task of taking on a Leinster Under-19 side, not only as it had originally lined out, but also the realigned force, by producing a win by a 10 points margin.

It was a particularly fruitful and rewarding afternoon for the schools' left wing Dara Kavanagh, who scored 21 points with a try, two conversions and four penalty goals.

Both sides scored three tries, but two of the three scored by the schools were spectacular efforts. None more so than a beauty by diminutive out-half Andy Duane, who produced a superb break after 19 minutes and finished off a 45-yard run with a try near the posts. Kavanagh converted that and the schools led 17-7.

In the initial stages, the Leinster side had marginally the better of matters and there were signs that their pack might prove too strong for the opposition. But the schools soon came to terms with the demands and their tackling and covering was effective and impressive. In the line out, too, they had a very good ball winner in Garret Lloyd.

After Kavanagh had given the schools the lead with a penalty, Leinster struck back with a good try when their able full back Barry McMahon scored after a well-worked blind-side movement

Out-half Geordan Murphy kicked a splendid conversion from the touchline to give his side an advantage. But a fine line-out take by Lloyd was the prelude to the schools' first try. As the pack worked forward to the Leinster line, prop Nigel Brady got a try which Kavanagh converted.

Then came Duane's fine solo-effort in the 19th minute. Within two minutes, he started a movement which opened the Leinster defence. The schools' vision and commendable support play culminated in a try by Kavanagh. This time he did not convert, but the schools led 22-7.

In the closing stages of the first period, Leinster laid siege to the schools' line but were met by a resolute defence, with the industrious O'Donohue often at the heart of the assaults.

Then just before the break, Leinster got a deserved reward when left wing Ross O'Connor scored after a pass from scrum half Jim Ferris. Murphy converted that and the deficit had been reduced to 14-22 at the interval.

Two early second-half penalties from Kavanagh saw the schools move out to a 28-14 advantage and while the rearranged Leinster pack did win some good possession, the schools' backs always carried the greater menace and authority and were especially well served by their half backs, Ciaran Scally and Duane.

Karl Becker, who came on at the interval at scrum hall, gave Leinster renewed hope when he got a try following a period of pressure, and out-half David Kelly, another second-half replacement, converted.

That score came in the 52nd minute, but the schools held firm and Kavanagh put the issue beyond doubt when he landed a penalty 11 minutes from time.