PBC tipped to overcome Newtown

DESPITE lacking any serious competitive experience in the Coca-Cola Munster Schools Cup this year, PBC Cork will be hot favourites to overcome Newtown School in the quarter-final at Ballinakill, Waterford, today.

Newtown have had a long haul to make it through to the current stage and are delighted with the progress big victories over St Mary's Newport, Clonmel High School and Coláiste Mhuire Crosshaven.

They followed that up with a hard-fought win over Midleton College to earn their place amongst the more recognised rugby schools in the province.

And now their big day, the first occasion they have reached this stage of the tournament since 1986.

It is a young side and one mixed with players from Russia, Oman, Kenya and Germany as well, of course, as home-grown kids.

Many of them will be available again for selection next year.

PBC are expected to win and by a decent margin, but they have injury problems relating to four of the 22 strong squad.

It is expected all players, including captain Rory Geoghegan, will be fit to play and that should be enough to see them through to a semi-final.

Newtown may have played against "inferior" schools for the most part, but they have scored lots of tries and have gained useful experience along the way.

Cup competitions are a great leveller and Newtown, despite their limited experience in the later reaches of this tournament, have managed to push the boat out once or twice in the past.

Over 20 years ago, a very good Christian Brothers College side were pushed all the way to win through a game held at the Highfield RFC grounds in Woodleigh Park.

A member of the Newtown team that day was none other than Nick Popplewell.

With home advantage they will surely feel they have a chance, albeit a very outside one.

NEWTOWN: T. Al Delamie, J. Evans, H. Kinsella, C. Grant, G. Deacon, R. Marsh, R. Argent, Y Al Delamie, T. O'Carroll, R. Gore, K. Kourilen, S. Thorpe, B. Dagg, B. Kennedy, R. Barrow (captain). Replacements. J. Bellew, P. Galloway, S. Pierce, B. Collins, N. Fearon, P. Hyland, P. Von Schulteendorff.

PBC CORK (from): D. Kingston, K. McCarthy, E. Mills, A. Kelleher, T. Gleeson, F. Dennehy, D. O'Connell, E. Ryan, D. O'Leary, S. Cronin, M. Gateley, B. Barry, J. Philpott, J. Somerfield, F. Moynihan, d. Prendergast, C. Kenefick, S. Boylan, E. Nugent, D. Long, D. Daly, R. Geoghegan (captain).