Blackrock College were narrowly beaten 15-12 by South African school Monument in their second match at the World Schools Rugby Championship in Zimbabwe yesterday. In a closely contested battle Blackrock were just edged out five penalty kicks to four after an enthralling game played in intense heat.

Full back Paul Drew did his best to keep Blackrock in touch by kicking the four penalties and was unlucky to miss a potential equaliser in the dying moments when the ball rebounded off the post. Alex Cahill was also pulled down just yards from the line as he searched for the winning score just minutes from time.

Monument, however, proved a little too hard to handle. With nine South African schools representatives in the side and conditions much more to their liking, they now head for the cup playoffs after their unbeaten run.

"It is disappointing but this was a phenomenal team performance by any standards," said Blackrock coach Vincent Costello. "We were on paper up against a far superior side although we matched them in all areas and probably could have taken it with a bit of luck.

"It was 27 degrees when we started on the pitch at 11.30 yesterday morning - not exactly conditions we're used to."

Blackrock are now out of the main competition but will enter the play-offs for the runner-up plate on Sunday against either Tupou College of Tonga or Helpmekaar of South Africa.

Blackrock: P Drew; N Ross, A O'Neill, S Sorohan, F Cuneen; A Frame, J Sullivan; N Hopkins, P Martin, J Montgomery, N Walsh, G McCarthy, A Martin, G McEvoy, N Treston. Replacements: A Cahill for Cuneen.