A more physically-imposing Moyle Park side had the better of the second half to reach the closing stages of the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup Section A at North Kildare yesterday. Peter Caffrey scored a try for the Dublin school, but it was sandwiched between two Stephen Lynch penalties which gave St Mel's their 6-5 interval lead. Moyle Park made their superior strength tell and their persistent pressure was rewarded with a penalty converted by Ricky Skelton in the 45th minute. Their lead was reinforced when Philip Furlong added a try. St Mel's battled on gamely until the end, but an outstanding combination resulting in a late try by Brian Farrell was their only reward.

Moyle Park: S Alexander; D Aprile, G Brennan, P Caffrey, C Cullen; P Furlong, M Mulholland; G Jago, G Kerins, G Kelly; R Skelton, E Henry, B Cleary, D Power and K Collins.

St Mel's: P Reynolds; P Melly, B Farrell, S Doherty, D Harrison; T Nolan, T Clendenning; S Lynch, J Kiernan, S Ward; H Brady, D Skelly, M Donnellan, E Farrell and B Diffley. Referee: J Downey (Leinster Branch).