John Hurley pulls the strings as gutsy Crescent fightback sees off Christians

Crescent 17 CBC 10: Crescent College Comprehensive scored three cracking tries on the way to an impressive 17-10 victory over Christian Brothers College in the opening game of the Munster Schools Junior Cup at Thomond Park yesterday.

Crescent gained some vengeance for their defeat to CBC in last year’s final but on the evidence of this game, it is not outside the bounds of possibility that they will meet again by the end of the season.

Christians got off to a bright start with an early penalty by out-half Billy Caine. A sparkling break by Crescent out-half and captain John Hurley led to a try for centre Jamie Hoffman, converted by Hurley.

There was a quick response from Christians with a try from second-row Conor O’Sullivan converted by Caine, leaving the Cork side 10-7 ahead at the break. However, Crescent struck within a couple of minutes of the restart when the outstanding Hurley set up a try for centre Jack Delaney.

Although Christians enjoyed a territorial edge from there to the finish, the Crescent defence held firm and five minutes from the finish they produced another terrific attack that ended with a superb try by Ben Carew.

CRESCENT:

D Larkin; B Carew, J Hoffman, J Delaney, T Duggan; J Hurley capt, D Aherne; C Fitzgerald, R Reynolds, J Hanley, C McDonagh, R Gallery, C O’Malley, A Garland, J Madden.

Replacements:

T Allen, M Casserly, M McCrann, C Tuohy, C Dineen, E Feeney, O Evans, B Murphy.

CBC:

T Downes; F Conway, C Coughlan, M Soames, K Waterman; B Caine, J O’Riordan; H Fitzgerald, D Good, M Donnelly, A Brien, C O’Sullivan, C Walsh, C Barry, S Buckley capt.

Replacements:

A Coleman, C Rasmussen, N Hassan, D McAuliffe,D O’Hara, H O’Riordan, D Rice, W Fielding.

Referee:

A McInerney (MAR).