Leinster schools league/cup 2015/2016 senior&junior

Inspector Coptoor

23-19 to Belvedere at HT.

V good game.
Belvedere looked dead and buried after going 19-8 down and had McNulty in the bin.

A penalty and a converted try brought them to within a point and on the stroke of HT, Belvo got anothe try through winger Peter Maher after a fantastic slicing break from 15 O'Sullivan.

Rock had two good forward tries off lineout mauls and a piece of individual brilliance from their 10 Conor Dean.

Hagz

'Rock are really missing O'Brien and Kilgallen.

funtime93

Rock's pack are much bigger and stronger.Belvo need to kick well second half and keep that pack away from their line.

The_N4sir

26-23 to Blackrock. Try off lineout maul.

another try for Rock - the third try from a maul in the match.
conversion made, Rock lead 26-23.
The Rock forwards have the power advantage for sure.
Can Belvo rally again...?

funtime93

Rock score off another maul.They lead by 3

The_N4sir

Try Belvo... Tom de Jong with the try. 30-26 to Belvo.

30-26 to Belvo, after another nice running try.
It's the running game of Belvo vs the fwd power of Rock.

Quint2010

Great try from Belvo. They really are playing most of the rugby here against a gigantic pack. 30-26.

funtime93

Has to be one of the best schools games I've ever seen.As someone said above its Rock fowards against Belvo's running game.

35-26 with conversion to come for Belvo.
Belvo are lovely through the hands.

funtime93

Try belvo.That could be that.

Inspector Coptoor

Try Belvo

35-26 with conversion to come.

Hawkshaw scored the try after great play.

Rocks big pack starting to look tired

10 mins left

The_N4sir

That surely could be it. Brilliant steal from the Belvo scrum half on the opposite 9 to start that move from the base of Rock's scrum.
35-26 with 10 left.

sfbdqc

Hawkshaw is super impressive for a 4th year.

The_N4sir

35-29 to Rock. 8 mins left.

Rock penalty, back to 6 points.
Not over yet. 8 mins left.
That last (kickable) missed Belvo conversion could yet be costly

funtime93

Yeh belvo are a bit erratic off the tee as opposed to McGowan who looks very assured.I'd back him to kick the extras if the pack rumble over again.

sfbdqc

whoever wins this deserves it.

funtime93

sfbdqc wrote: »

whoever wins this deserves it.

Whoever wins this has the cup sewn up.Can't see Michaels beating either of these two.

sfbdqc

Hagz wrote: »

Not really that surprising. Selections are not completely objective at any level, particularly so at school's level. An occasion such as this (a replay knock-out game) only serves to heighten that reality.

funtime93 wrote: »

Whoever wins this has the cup sewn up.Can't see Michaels beating either of these two.

Roscrea people think they can.

funtime93

Chance for rock here.Down the line again.

Crucial knock-on from Rock which may seal their fate.
Can't see Roscrea troubling either of these two.
They mightn't even beat Clongowes.

sydthebeat

thanks for the updates lads!

RedemptionZ

funtime93 wrote: »

Whoever wins this has the cup sewn up.Can't see Michaels beating either of these two.

Michaels would fancy their chances against two fairly mediocre defences, especially rocks. Winner of this will no doubt be favourites though. In hospital atm and can't watch it so thankful for these updates!

Belvo Through

funtime93

all over

First Up

Magnificent match. Great talent on display. Can't wait for the game against Michaels - should be a try fest.

Quint2010

Great match. Pity someone has to lose but Belvedere deserved it. 'Rock's no 8 went on his own once too often. Two fine teams. The 4G pitch also helps with the flowing rugby.

Hagz

You would think we've just seen the winner but that Michael's team will provide a different test. They'll ask stronger questions of the Belvo back-line defence.

The Lost Sheep

Seems like super game.

Any predictions for semis in each of the provinces now line ups are decided(bar Connacht)?

JPCN1

Ah well, always next year.

Well done Belvo.

funtime93

Hagz wrote: »

You would think we've just seen the winner but that Michael's team will provide a different test. They'll ask stronger questions of the Belvo back-line defence.

But their pack wont cause anything like the problems the rock pack did.

funtime93

Belvo now 2/7 to win it.Roscrea and Clongowes both 11/2.Michaels 8/1

RedemptionZ

funtime93 wrote: »

But their pack wont cause anything like the problems the rock pack did.

They've still got a massive pack with some great players like Kelleher, Fitzpatrick and Dowling in it. I can see them causing Belvo some real problems.

thebaz

Belvo's backs wow - great to see - great game - brilliant to see rugby played the right way in Ireland today - that Donnybrook pitch is great for the game - wish it was like that when i played , rather the the Feb mud bath of old

Islander13

Sky plussed the game. Just watched it back there. Great match. Credit to the two teams. Belvedere's skill level was a cut above though. Think Rock were lucky to be within a score at the end

RedemptionZ

thebaz wrote: »

Belvo's backs wow - great to see - great game - brilliant to see rugby played the right way in Ireland today - that Donnybrook pitch is great for the game - wish it was like that when i played , rather the the Feb mud bath of old

Such an improvement, really promotes playing expansive running rugby which is great for young players. I think it has an even bigger impact in Junior Cup where matches are often won based purely on the size of the pack.

Watched the match there and the Belvo backs were very good going forward although I would question the defence at times. Rock seemed to be fairly one dimensional and reliant on their pack and set pieces to score.

Michaels are definitely underdogs against Belvo, and they weren't perfect in defence themselves against Terenure, despite the utter domination of the first half. They do present a different test to Belvo than Rock though, they have a strong pack that gives great platform for their backs who are more than capable of scoring. That under the legs try against Terenure is the best schools try I've ever seen. Could be a try fest.

Tarf1234

What an outstanding game. Really hope that is a sign of things to come in the future for Schools rugby on astro. With more and more astro's going into clubs and schools could become a much faster game in general in this country.

Any chance the game might end up on youtube?

First Up

Deleted User wrote:

Any chance the game might end up on youtube?

You could check if Setanta plan to re-show it. I'd be surprised if they didn't.

Bandana boy

Watched the replay last night , fantastic game of rugby.
Blows my mind to see schools rugby played at that level.

Surely that Belvo team has far to much in attack for any body else left in the competition.
The only ray of hope for Michael's is how well that Rock maul performed against Belvo.

sfbdqc

Belvo may have peaked too early..

jony_dols

sfbdqc wrote: »

Roscrea people think they can.

Really? Don't know where you're reading that. Not even Roscrea fans have them tipped for this year. Doubtful as to whether they'll get through the semi.

Then again, 3/4 tries conceded to rolling mauls by Belvo, I'm sure they'd prefer the lighter CWC pack in a potential final.

Inspector Coptoor

sfbdqc wrote: »

Belvo may have peaked too early..

They certainly have not peaked.

Butchered a few try scoring chances with forward passes and lots to work on in defense, particularly at line out time.

sfbdqc

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

They certainly have not peaked.

Butchered a few try scoring chances with forward passes and lots to work on in defense, particularly at line out time.

I said they may have.

I know you have obvious close ties to the school and team but don't be so precious.

sfbdqc

jony_dols wrote: »

Really? Don't know where you're reading that. Not even Roscrea fans have them tipped for this year. Doubtful as to whether they'll get through the semi.

Then again, 3/4 tries conceded to rolling mauls by Belvo, I'm sure they'd prefer the lighter CWC pack in a potential final.

They have the biggest pack by far left in the competition. And Clongowes is the easiest matchup they could have gotten. Certs for the final.

sfbdqc

Belvedere looked much better coached in the backs yesterday, be interesting to see if any make the leinster academy down the line.. Hawkshaw and O'Sullivan being the strongest contenders and a few years away.

rughug

sfbdqc wrote: »

Belvedere looked much better coached in the backs yesterday, be interesting to see if any make the leinster academy down the line.. Hawkshaw and O'Sullivan being the strongest contenders and a few years away.

Yes he got a good try but Conor Dean didn't look up to too much . Pretty ordinary. Given that he is a full age 6th year.

TTWNF

Seems to be a good few Belvo players from last years team back .... how come Jessie Iredale is only a sub? Was he not one of there better players last year?

i think it will be a Belvo V Clongowes final .... didn't think Roscrea were up to much in their last game