Blackrock continue winning run

The match of the weekend might have been at Stradbrook where Blackrock College recorded their fifth straight win of the season…

The match of the weekend might have been at Stradbrook where Blackrock College recorded their fifth straight win of the season, beating UCD 36-20, but it was Old Crescent who claimed the top position in the Division Two table with a 9-18 win over Old Belvedere.

As the table continuously changes leaders, the challenge still lies with Blackrock, who after a barren schedule at the beginning of the season now find themselves with three or four games in hand to the two sides above them. Galwegians, who also made sure to keep their momentum moving forward with a 28-14 win over Portadown, have also games in hand.

Second half tries from captain Brian Toland and left wing Craig Doyle were instrumental in separating Old Crescent from Belvedere. Typically, penalties from Donal Martin and a drop goal from Ray Monaghan put points on the board for Belvedere but Crescent's tries in tandem with Billy Treacy's unerring boot put the game beyond reach.

At Stradbrook, Blackrock scored 27 points with out reply in the second half for their win over UCD having found themselves 20-9 down at the break as Calum McClean and Paul Wallace gathered the student points. Out-half Emmet Farrell's five penalties and three conversions added to tries from Ross Murphy, Gavin McCarthy and Jim Ferris as Blackrock then totally dominated the second half.

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City of Derry narrowly came through their game 22-18 against Malone at Gibson Park. Two second half tries from Ashley Bond kept Derry's promotional hopes alive.

At mid-table Sunday's Well overturned a 10-point deficit to beat Wanderers 17-13 at Musgrave Park while Belfast Harlequins's 10-22 defeat of Bective Rangers puts them marginally above the Dublin side on the table.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times