ROCKWELL bridged a 15 year gap when they scored a surprise but fully deserved 9-5 victory over Crescent in the final of the Munster Junior Cup at Thomond Park yesterday.

It was a thrilling game in which Crescent failed to come to grips with the supremacy of key Rockwell forwards - Philip Ryan in the line out, hooker John Silke in the scrums, and outstanding number eight Den Leamy in all facets of play.

Rockwell led 9-5 at the interval and then turned to face the wind in the second half without any good reason for confidence. However, it was then that Ryan took a succession of marvellous catches in the line out. Silke, too, took four strikes against the head and Leamy was in the van as his side defended superbly.

In the end, Rockwell actually lifted the siege and were camped in Crescent territory when the final whistle sounded.

Crescent began confidently, but gradually settled and took the lead with a fine penalty goal by Leamy after 10 minutes. They went further ahead with a drop goal by out half Paul Ahearne after 17 minutes.

Crescent regained their grip and narrowed the gap with a smashing try by wing forward Liam Woulfe. The opportunity was created by a brilliant run from full back John Cusack.

However, Cusack had less luck with his place kicks. He missed a conversion and a couple of other shots as well, and Leamy gave Rockwell further breathing space by landing his second penalty two minutes before the half time break.

After that it was a question of defence for the most part for Rockwell. They proved equal to the demands made on them. They had good reason to be grateful for some magnificent tackles put in by Alan Earley and the entire back row of Leamy, Peter Carey and Tom Fennessey.