Blackrock College moved up the table with a late victory over an unlucky Lansdowne at Stradbrook on Saturday in front of a disappointing crowd. The chance to see Lions call-up Brian O'Driscoll in action did not attract the expected bumper crowd.

The Irish centre had a quiet game by his standards and it was left to former Leinster outhalf Alan McGowan to secure the points with a penalty in injury time. McGowan contributed 27 points, including six penalties and two conversions.

The game was just four minutes old when Rock number eight, John Ryan, climbed high in the lineout before using his momentum to score. McGowan added the conversion and an additional penalty and although opposing number Mark Woods reduced the arrears two minutes later, McGowan converted his own try to make it 17-3.

Lansdowne fought back and after Woods had sent over his second successful kick, back row Colm McEntee finished off a fine move by their pack with Woods converting to put just four points between the teams. McGowan then made it 20-13 on 24 minutes but Lansdowne crossed for a second try when a skipped pass sent full back Bobby Geraghty over.

Lansdowne twice levelled proceedings after the break with Shane Whelan going over with 10 minutes to go before McGowan settled the issue.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: N Turner; J Ferris, B O'Driscoll, M Jackson, D Johnson; A McGowan, D Popplewell; A McSweeney, G McEvoy; I McLaughlin, R Casey J Fitzgerald, D McGettigan, J Ryan, R Rogers. Replacements: T Keating for Turner (44 mins); M Cuffe for McLaughlin (63); T Hogan for Ryan (65); C Kilroy for Popplewell (74).

LANSDOWNE: B Geraghty; R Niland, L O'Brien, G Hamilton, R Dolan; M Woods, S Whelan; E Bohan, O Ennis, A McKeen, S O'Connor, G Quinn, S Rooney, C McEntee, G Molloy.

Referee: O Trevor (IRFU).