Jack Perry seals it for King's Hospital
rugby: Vinnie murray cup
21 January 2015; James O'Reilly, The King's Hospital, celebrates a try by team-mate Jack Perry. Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Vinnie Murray Cup Semi-Final, The King's Hospital v Presentation College Bray. Donnybrook Stadium, Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture credit: Piaras ? M?dheach / SPORTSFILE
Holders St Gerard's and Castleknock have had little or no time to absorb the deeper meaning behind their epic 20-all semi-final draw on Tuesday as they prepare for a replay back at Donnybrook tomorrow.
The momentum must be with Castleknock as they owned the ball for long stretches only to be speared twice by the direct carrying of St Gerard's out-half Marc Baker for two tries.
They have to deny Baker the time and space to find gaps and use strength through contact.
It was Baker's second burst from scrum-half Tom Foley's flat pass that moved them out to 17-7 in the 28th minute for what looked like a healthy advantage.
brace
The 'Knock looked to their strong men, hooker James Gibney, grabbing a brace of tries, prop Geoff Brookes, also their goal-kicker, and centre Sean Gibbons, to bring them back into it.
It eventually fell on the shoulders of Brookes to square it with time almost exhausted.
King's Hospital have the luxury of waiting in the long grass after their 22-14 defeat of Pres Bray in the second semi-final at Donnybrook yesterday.
Hos' had to deal with the loss of their goal-kicker Sam Dowds and captain Rolus Olusa to injury in the first five minutes.
It would have shaken a lesser outfit. But they settled down to move 15-7 clear with tries by replacement Daniel Courtney and prop Calum Petit allied to five points from the boot of wing Paul McCullagh.
Pres' were never too far away and centre Cathal Martin accounted for all of their points from two converted tries, the second leaving one point in it in the 48th minute.
The work-rate of number eight Matthew Bursey was a significant factor and he was behind the set-up play that enabled hooker Jack Perry to punch in the match winner.
