First win of season for Terenure College

Terenure College 24 Blackrock College 23

Terenure College opened their win account in this season's AIB League as they staved off a late comeback from Blackrock College at Lakelands Park today.

'Rock came from 21-9 down with tries from centre Kyle Tonetti and scrum half David Moore, but a 77th-minute penalty from David McAllister proved the decisive score.

'Nure led 12-6 at half-time with both McAllister and Ronan Harrison touching down.

McAllister tallied up 19 points in all, including four second half penalties, while 'Rock full-back Fionn Carr kicked 13 points.

Tussling for the 10th time in the AIB League, with 'Rock having won six of the sides' previous ties, these Dublin rivals fought out a torrid battle up front where former Ireland international Shane Byrne failed to have much of an influence.

There was plenty of effort from Byrne's forward colleagues but 'Rock could not transfer pressure into points and they overcomplicated things at times in the second half when they had to chase the game.

McAllister, who was capped by Leinster in previous seasons, ran a lovely line to touch down in the 18th-minute for a try which he converted himself.

A brace of penalties from Carr, both scored in the first quarter-hour, had 'Rock leading early on but McAllister's effort and a try from Harrison, three minutes before the break, stretched Terenure's advantage to 12-6.

By the 58th-minute Kevin West's side had taken almost complete charge with three penalties from McAllister dwarfing a single effort from Leinster 'A' player Carr.

Former Ireland U-20 squad member Tonetti burst through for a 75th-minute try which looked like only being a consolation score as McAllister fired over a penalty two minutes later.

There was still time for young number 9 Moore to snipe over in injury-time for 'Rock's second seven-pointer, whittling 'Nure's lead down to 24-23, but that was the final act of a very entertaining encounter.

Scorers:

Terenure College: Tries: David McAllister, Ronan Harrison; Con: David McAllister; Pens: David McAllister 4

Blackrock College: Tries: Kyle Tonetti, David Moore; Cons: Fionn Carr 2; Pens: Fionn Carr 3.