SCHOOLS RUGBY:EAST GLENDALOUGH have been the success story of the season so far as they have made their way through from the Development Cup, for new and resource-challenged schools, to the final of the Section A Duff Junior Cup – they were edged out 13-3 by Skerries there.

From there, they moved onwards and upwards into the Section B Fr Godfrey, where they found traditionalists Cistercian a touch too cute at Carlow RFC yesterday. It took a try from hooker Jeremy Sweetman, five minutes from time, to secure the 13-6 win for Roscrea, whose other scores came via a try by lock Peter Ennis and a penalty from outhalf Conor O’Leary. Shane Farrar kicked two penalties for Glendalough.

A try from flanker Aaron Cafferkey, the first of his two, early into the second half proved the killer blow for St Gerard’s School in their 21-10 victory over Templeogue College at Kilternan.

Trailing 8-0 to a try by lock Jack Ryan and penalty by outhalf Tommy Whittle at the halfway point, Templeogue badly needed the next score. They didn’t get it.

Instead, Cafferkey made good use of his nose for the whitewash to put the game beyond doubt. The losers’ forwards were a united crew and they were rewarded for their endeavour with tries by second row Hassan Albujasin and number eight Eric O’Sullivan.

Wesley took command of their tie with Skerries Community College by taking a 10-0 lead to the break. Outhalf Tim Hawe struck a 16th-minute penalty and converted a try by half-back partner James O’Donovan 10 minutes later. The trend continued with further tries from centres Sam Tully and Luke Madeley and lock Jedd Pratt to seal the deal 31-5 at Distillery Road, while Skerries, led by scrumhalf and captain Robbie Jenkinson, struck for their only try from wing Peter Lacey in the 52nd minute.

King’s Hospital took their opportunities when they came, through Ntinga Mpiko and James Hogan, and shut up shop after that to close out High School 13-3 at Coolmine RFC. Prop Mpiko gave them a foothold on the burst for the first try. High School wing Jack Walsh kept it tight with a penalty until King’s Hospital number eight Hogan’s effort, in the 61st minute, took them out to an all-important two score lead.