Strydom gets into his stride

AIL League Division One / Ballymena 34 UCD 9:   Champions Ballymena got the defence of their AIB League Division One title off to an excellent start at Eaton Park on Saturday with a 34-9 victory over UCD.

Full back Dirkie Strydom contributed 19 points with the home team also picking up a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Shannon served notification of their intent with a 38-5 thrashing of Lansdowne at Thomond Park. The five-times champions won the match with a dominant performance from their pack. Colm McMahon crossed for two tries, with Brian Tuohy, Fiach O'Loughlin and John O'Connor also breaching the Lansdowne defence.

Tom Cregan's boot provided another 13 points.

Carlow, dark horses for a decent run this season, were the third team to pick up a bonus point - they scored five tries - with a 34-25 victory over last season's Division Two champions, Dolphin, at Oak Park.

Dolphin outhalf John O'Mahony manfully tried to keep his side in contention with six penalties but Carlow's greater potency from close range in particular saw them triumph.

Cork Constitution must have thought they were set for a big win when after an excellent first-half performance they led Dungannon 23-0 at the interval, scoring tries through the impressive Jean Vincent Igarza and Cronan Healy. Scrumhalf Pat McCarthy was in fine form with the boot to add a further 13 points. Dungannon though, under new coach Jeremy Davidson, demonstrated their mettle by scoring 12 unanswered points in the second half, John McGuckin and Glen Carruthers crossing for tries.

Belfast Harlequins recovered from an 18-6 deficit to surprise Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. The home side dominated before the break but the Northern side took full advantage of a lack of concentration in the second period.

Scrumhalf Sean Clancy grabbed a brace of tries, in the 65th and 69th minutes, to change the pattern of proceedings and help the Belfast club to a 24-18 win.