‘Rock moved up one place in the Division One table to ninth as they outfoxed their south Dublin rivals.

A 17th-minute try from centre Brian Canavan set ‘Rock on their way, with lock Paul Huntley’s late effort handing them a 17-3 half-time advantage.

Old Belvedere out-half Richie Murphy muscled over for a try and kicked a penalty but ‘Rock were not to be denied.

Losers to Shannon last week, 'Rock wanted to make amends straight away and they were 10-0 to the good by the 31-minute mark. Backed by the elements, the Des Dillon-led hosts took control when Canavan made a midfield break and he had the strength and pace to make the whitewash.

Belvedere, who lost 44-19 on their most recent league visit to Stradbrook in 1998, managed to steady themselves with Murphy's boot coming into play and youngsters Felix Jones and Eoin O'Malley getting some decent possession.

Fionn Carr's 31st-minute penalty, which took his tally for the campaign to 61 points, was replied to by Murphy four minutes later. However, 'Rock had the final say of the half as a surge from their forwards led to Huntley crossing the line and full-back Carr converted for a 17-3 score-line.

Belvedere got back in touch when Murphy emerged from under a pile of bodies to grab the visitors' only try of the afternoon. Yet with 'Rock's defence relatively water-tight, Murphy and company were restricted to just a penalty in the closing half-hour.

Murphy indeed was central to two players receiving yellow cards, midway through the second half.

The former Leinster out-half was caught lying on the wrong side of a ruck, 'Rock scrum half David Moore took offence and lashed out at the veteran and Belvedere lock Richie Leyden sought retribution, leaving referee John Carvill with little option but to sin-bin both Moore and Leyden.

Scorers: Blackrock College: Tries: Brian Canavan, Paul Huntley; Cons: Fionn Carr 2; Pen: Fionn Carr

Old Belvedere: Try: Richie Murphy; Pens: Richie Murphy 2