Senior Rugby Round-Up

Dolphin kept their hopes of avoiding relegation with a surprise win over Clontarf as Highfield are crowned Ulster Bank League Division 2B champions.

In Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League a last minute penalty from Rory Scannell earned Dolphin a 24-22 away win over reigning champions Clontarf at Castle Avenue.

The visitors led 21-15 at the break with tries from Chris Rowe, Rory Scannell and Niall Scannell. Rory Scannell converted all three tries.

Young Munster eased their relegation worries with a 20-17 away win over UCD.

The students led 17-13 at half time with Shane O’Leary scoring a try and Willie Staunton converting and also adding two penalties for the visitors. The only score of the second half was a penalty try for Munsters which Staunton converted.

Despite losing to leaders Lansdowne 27-20 at the Aviva Stadium, the losing bonus point Cork Constitution picked up saw them move back into fourth place. Con’ trailed 12-10 at half time and had two tries from Darren Sweetnam and one by Tomás Quinlan. Quinlan added a conversion and a penalty.

In Division 1B, Garryowen took another big step towards promotion to the top flight with a 17-5 away win over Ballymena. A try by James McInerney and a Jamie Gavin penalty gave Garryowen an 8-0 interval lead. Gavin added a further three penalties in the second half.

In Division 2A it was a good day for all the Munster sides as they all won with a bonus point.

Cashel defeated relegation threatened City of Derry 25-3.

All the other three sides are involved in avoiding finishing in the bottom six which would see them being relegated to Division 2B.

Thomond had a 39-10 home win over fellow strugglers Rainey Old Boys. Rory Collins contributed a try, two penalties and four conversions. Thomond’s other try scorers were Alan O’Donnell, Dara O’Neill and Diarmuid Ryan and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Nenagh Ormond had a 31-5 home win over promotion chasing Skerries.

U.C.C. defeated Seapoint 36-13 with two ties from Brendan Monahan and tries by Dean Nolan, Eddie Earle, Paul Kiernan and Cillian Ansboro. Kevin Kidney converted three of the ties.

Highfield had to come from 6-0 down at half time to beat Richmond 31-5 at Richmond Park and be crowned champions of Division 2B.

Paddy O’Toole, Ben Murphy, Tim Ryan and Kevin Foyle were Highfield’s try scorers and they were also awarded a penalty try. O’Toole kicked three conversions and Wayne Murphy kicked two penalties for Richmond in the opening half.

Bruff kept their promotion hopes alive with a 31-12 home win over Kanturk. Jake Considine scored two tries for Bruff and Brian Cahill, Dave O’Grady, Brendan Deady also scored tries. Tony Cahill kicked three conversions. Matt Gandy and Sean Cremin replied with tries for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe kicked a conversion.

Old Crescent picked up two bonus points in their narrow 32-29 home defeat by Greystones. Sean Monahan, Garth Quinn McDonogh, Darren Arthur, Cathal Monahan and Kevin Doyle all scored tries for the Rosbrien side and Shane O’Brien kicked two conversions.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Clontarf 22, Dolphin 24;
Lansdowne 27, Cork Constitution 20;
Old Belvedere 40, Ballynahinch 14;
Terenure College 41, St Mary's College 24;
U.C.D. 17, Young Munster 20;

Division 1B: Ballymena 5, Garryowen 17;
Belfast Harlequins 27, Corinthians 17;
Dublin University 48, Buccaneers 14;
Malone 5, Galwegians 31;

Division 2A: Banbridge 53, Bective Rangers 9;
Cashel 25, City of Derry 3;
Dungannon 8, N.U.I.M. Barnhall 20;
Naas 21, Old Wesley 20;
Nenagh Ormond 31, Skerries 5;
Queens University 26, Blackrock College 28;
Thomond 39, Rainey Old Boys 10;
U.C.C. 36, Seapoint 13;

Division 2B: Bruff 31, Kanturk 12;
Old Crescent 29, Greystones 32;
Richmond 6, Highfield 31;
Sligo 5, City of Armagh 27;
Tullamore 60, Ards 10;