ST MARY'S staged a successful invasion of Shane Park on Saturday, where a potent fusion of accurate place-kicking and opportunism took them to a deserved success over the home side.

Simon Bond, the Instonians outhalf, failed to score from three relatively straightforward penalty chances in the first half. In contrast, St Mary's were much more decisive and their outhalf Fergal Campion landed three superb penalties before half time.

The home side showed grit and spirit in the closing stages of the half, and produced one of the best movements of the match when their pack, working well as a unit and driving forward energetically, paved the way for Nicky Moffett to sweep in for a 37th-minute try.

There was a further bonus for the home side when scrumhalf Ian Knox took over the kicking duties from Bond just before the break and drilled over a penalty that took his side to within one point of the visitors.

St Mary's, however, took a firm grip on the game at the start of the second half. Campion was again on target with his fourth successful kick to steer his side into a 12-8 lead. Hard-working number eight Frank Fitzgerald was rewarded with a try in the 70th minute. Campion converted and his subsequent penalty and a similar score from Knox had little significance.