Convincing DLSP wait on results

DLSP made a significant move towards promotion from division two with a massive 30-6 win over Portadown at Chambers Park but must now wait for the results of Wanderers last two games to see who joins Dungannon in Division One next season. Dungannon secured their promotion with a 2734 win over a lively Skerries side at Holmpatrick.

Wanderers over-ran Sunday's Well 37-15 at Lansdowne Road and now have to collect full points form their remaining two fixtures in order to finish with the same points as DLSP, who have now completed their league programme.

At the bottom of the table Ballynahinch are joined in division three by Old Wesley, who were beaten 22-20 by their Donnybrook neighbours Bective Rangers. While Bective had little to worry about regardless of the result, Old Wesley badly needed a win to take them out of trouble.

DLSP raced to a 20-6 half-time lead in Portadown, having fallen to an early penalty from Ricky McIlmoyle. Shane Stephens went over for DLSP's first and second tries and from there on the Dublin side dominated. Wing forward Bruce Wood added a third try with centre Mike Cunningham adding another as DLSP cruised to a 6-30 win.

Wanderers led 15-3 at the break and typical of the three teams contesting the two promotion places, put this game against Sunday's Well beyond any doubt early on in the contest.

Colin Leaghy, Dermot Finnegan, Kevin McDonnell and Martin Ridge each contributed with tries for the winners with Eric Olazabal as always also adding handsomely from the boot. Sunday's Well offered a response from Richard Daly and Stephen Keane but much too late to suggest an upset.

Dungannon, bearing the weight of expectation duly went to Skerries and came out with the points they needed to ensure promotion.

Skerries, however made it a tougher task than it might have been with a gallant display, finally going down 27-34.

Dungannon sped into a 19-0 lead with tries from Jonathan Davis, Stephen Bell and Alistair Clarke with two conversions coming from Ashley Blair.

Keith Walker added another try just after the break at which stage it looked as though a Skerries rout might be in progress. But the home side responded with David Hewitt kicking three penalties and converting tries from Patrick Beggs and Manu Petra.

The weekend's games leaves all four divisions, except promotion from division two, sorted out in terms of promotion, relegation and playoffs. UCD who beat NIFC yesterday to claim the division three title come into Division Two with North next season while Dublin University and Highfield are relegated from Division Three to four.

In Division Four Middleton and Ballina leapfrog Banbridge to claim the two promotion spots with Collegians scheduled to play Thomond in the hope of holding on to their AIL status. Non-league side Barnhall have been promoted into division four.