Rugby: Blackrock show rock solid performance

Former Leinster outhalf, Alan McGowan, contributed 27 points in Blackrock's slender win over Lansdowne at Stradbrook this afternnoon.

Blackrock College 32 Lansdowne 29

Former Leinster outhalf, Alan McGowan, contributed 27 points in Blackrock's slender win over Lansdowne at Stradbrook this afternoon.

The outhalf's sixth successful penalty in injury time saw Rock claim the victory but without the bonus point looked to have ruled themselves out of a place in the top four.

Tries from John Ryan and Mc Gowan had seen Rock 17-3 up early on but Lansdowne finished strongly and twice went over through Colm McEntee and Bobby Geraghty to leave just Blackrock just two points in front at half time.

Two McGowan penalties saw Rock increase their lead after the break but a Mark Woods penalty and a Shane Whelan try saw the teams tied at 26-26 as the game entered its final stage.

And although Woods tied matters once more when cancelling out a Mc Gowan effort, the latter had the last say when converting the winning kick in injury time.