Malone stiffened their challenge for promotion from Division Two when they ran up their fourth match without defeat, scoring four tries to beat Skerries at Gibson Park. Hooker Michael Graham and winger Scot Carroll gave Malone a 10-3 lead at half-time before right wing Stewart Porter and second row Stuart Duncan added two more in the second half to seal the Dublin side's fate. Only Clive Lawless, with a penalty either side of the break could get in the points for Skerries, who now sit third place from the bottom of the table which Malone top.
Chasing Malone are Old Crescent and Sunday's Well, who had varying fortunes over the weekend. Old Crescent claimed a sound 23-0 victory over Old Wesley in a forward-dominated contest. Full back Brian Begley claimed most of the scoring glory from his front eight's work with a personal contribution of two tries and two penalties.
The defeat of Sunday's Well by Bective Rangers gives the Dublin team an important hike up into the middle of the table while the Cork side will see it as a squandered chance to extend their unbeaten run. In a game of kicking Bective finally inched out their opponents with Warren Johnston beating Richie Daly three kicks to two for a 9-6 win.
At Dr Hickey Park Greystones earned their second win of the season after a dogged display against Dolphin again under difficult conditions. The visitors' territorial advantage failed to deliver scores as Greystones's Mark Hogan landed an early try before Eoin Costigan delivered two penalties. Dolphin out-half John O'Mahony kicked his side's only scores.
An injury-stricken Dungannon, missing Stephen Bell, David Hunphreys, Johnny Bell and Ulster captain Mark McCall, were happy to come from Kilternan with four tries scored and just one conceded. Portadown earned their second win of the season against the struggling Ballynahinch in a high-scoring match. Ricky McIlmoyle landing a try and kicking two penalties and a conversion in his team's 30-23 win. UCC meanwhile celebrated their first win in three games, beating City of Derry 15-10. Prop Aidan McSweeney provided a last-minute try for the much needed student win.
