GARRYOWEN remain in contention for a third league title and Old Crescent are still rooted to the bottom of the table. But it could have been so different at Rosbrien on Saturday when Crescent came within a couple of minutes of their first victory in Division One rugby, having staged a superb second half recovery.

Garryowen registered their third win of the campaign and for much of the time looked a competent outfit. Quite wisely they readjusted their back division with Dan Larkin reverting to full back and Dominic Crotty taking up his international position on the left wing.

Both did well as did newcomer Joe Brooks in the centre and the forwards dominated the opening 50 minutes or so with David Wallace and especially Ben Cronin outstanding.

It seemed there was little Crescent could do about the situation as Barry Everett and Jack Clarke ran in splendid tries for Garryowen and Killian Keane found the target with impressive consistency. After 38 minutes it was 21-3 to Garryowen and it was still that way with 20 minutes remaining.

It was only then that Crescent, who desperately needed a positive result from the game, performed with the fire and fury that was so essential for them if they were to take the points.

Len Dineen and Liam Toland used their experience to lift the men around them. Outhalf Stephen Tuohy converted his own try and then number eight David Bowles got a pushover try. Incredibly, Crescent moved in front in the 75th minute when Dineen crashed his way over and Tuohy's successful conversion signalled great jubilation in the Crescent camp.

To their credit, Garryowen regrouped impressively and forced Crescent into conceding a crucial last penalty. Keane kept his nerve and found the target to give Garryowen victory - rather fortuitously in the end - by two points.