Carlow take another giant step

It was another step towards promotion for Carlow when they robustly held on for a 17-13 win over struggling Dolphin at Musgrave Park in Division Two.

The win keeps them on the shoulders of league leaders Old Belvedere for whom Andy Dunne kicked seven penalties and a conversion in his side's 28-21 win over neighbours Bective Rangers.

Dunne's critical kicking gave him a return of eight hits from nine attempts. The match was always going to be decided by placekicking with Fergal Campion kicking two penalties, a drop goal and a conversion. Just a point separated the sides 10 minutes from the end with Campion twice losing his footing attempting penalties and Dunne making him pay with two final kicks in the closing minutes to round off his 23-point haul.

Carlow's win hung on the opportunism of substitute winger Mark Buckley. Eight minutes from the end in this closely fought match a Dolphin attack broke down inside Carlow territory which allowed Buckley to snatch the winner.

UCD lost out to a conversion in injury time but walked away from blustery Belfield with a 29-29 draw with Midleton. The Cork visitors trailed 21-5 at half-time and at that point it looked very much the students' game.

But with the aid of a strong breeze and a greater spirit in the second half Midleton rallied and Joe Lawlor, John Horgan and Damon Urlich ran in tries.

The other student side, UCC, continued to impressively hold their own nearer to the top of the table with a 22-10 win over Greystones. Coming back from 10-3 down in the first half to lead 12-10 at half-time following three penalties from full back James O'Donnell, UCC continued to press their advantage.

Outhalf Conor Quade extended the students' lead with a drop goal before adding the rest of UCC's points with a try and a conversion.

At the other end of the table the woes of City of Derry continued when they went down 14-19 to Wanderers. This time last year Derry led Division Two but now prop up the bottom. Wanderers, not much better off, will see the win as hugely important, the points moving them away from the bottom three of Derry, Dolphin and Wesley.