The Champions, inspired by their outstanding captain Gene O’Leary Kareem, who claimed a try and five superbly kicked conversions, ensured they got the result that they needed to avoid a semi-final qualifier against their arch-rivals and their opponents in last season’s final, Christian Brothers College.

Instead, it is Munchins who will face the talented CBC side in the semi-final qualifiers, where the loser will still have a chance of landing the title via the backdoor, as their loss to PBC ensured they finished second in the standings.

The Limerick school had even taken a 14-0 lead, thanks to tries from Danny Williamson and Alex Quinn that were converted by Tom Wood, by the 18th minute but Pres reacted strongly, particularly in the second half, to tally five converted tries on the bounce - Harry Murphy claiming two - to emerge 35-14 victors.

Elsewhere in Group A on Wednesday and Rockwell made the most of home advantage to defeat Castletroy College 26-17. The result means that it is Rockwell who finish fourth in the standings and Castletroy remain bottom of the pile and crash out having failed to pick up a single point while Munster CSP (Club Select Player) maintained third spot and with it a quarter-final eliminator berth, which wasn’t in danger going into the final round of fixtures for the year.

Meanwhile in Group B and Christian Brothers College also knew they had already secured top spot no matter what happened in their game against Glenstal Abbey.

That wasn’t to say that they had nothing to play for though as similar to their arch-rivals Pres, CBC had the opportunity to make a statement heading into the knockout rounds by also making it four wins out of four and potentially four bonus point wins out of four.

But Glenstal Abbey had other ideas and their 25 to 12 win ensured they ruined their opponents perfect record and claimed the bonus point themselves. That in the end was enough to see them finish fourth in the table, just ahead of Ardscoil Rís, who were beaten 17-12 by Crescent College Comprehensive while Bandon Grammar School, who had already completed the group stage, head to other quarter-final eliminator having finished third.

CCC will now take on PBC in the other semi-final qualifier with the competition likely to recommence by the end of January.