French magic defies Bandon

PBC Cork 12 Bandon Grammar School 3: Underdogs Bandon Grammar School underlined the rise of West Cork rugby with a gallant effort in defeat in a tense Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final clash at Musgrave Park.

Presentation Brothers, Cork — aristocrats of this competition — finally wore them down and booked a final place against either Ardscoil Rís or Glenstal Abbey, though the nine-point winning margin didn’t accurately reflect how competitive this game was.

The weather didn’t make it easy for Pres, fancied to produce an expansive game-plan, but injury blows to two of the Bandon players seriously dented their hopes of pulling off a surprise.