A rare day in the sun for the AIB League and a curious set of results in the top flight clarified the picture somewhat in the chase for the top four positions.
Further down the pecking order Terenure and Greystones were condemned to relegation from the first and second divisions, while Dolphin and Waterpark took big steps towards promotion from divisions two and three.
Clontarf remain the pacesetters despite a 24-15 defeat at Belfast Harlequins. They outscored the home side by three tries to two but were always playing catch-up after Andre Bester's side took an early 11-0 lead thanks to penalties by Ajay Derwin either side of a try by young Colin Atkinson.
Clontarf face a tricky trip to Galwegians, now just behind fourth-placed Buccaneers on points difference, before a final-day game at home to St Mary's. Lansdowne and Ballymena are breathing down their necks though in the pursuit of coveted home semi-finals, and the former are now the form side after a seventh successive win.
Matthew Leek may not have been able to make much of an impression for Leinster but Lansdowne have been delighted to benefit, and the division's top scorer got another 20-point haul in the 40-3 win away over Dungannon. The bonus point edged them above Ballymena, and Lansdowne now know that maximum points from their remaining games, away to St Mary's and at home to Galwegians, will earn a home semi-final.
Ballymena failed even to gain a bonus point in their 36-16 defeat to Garryowen. In what looks like a four-way fight for the fourth play-off place, Belfast Harlequins and Cork Con are three and five points off the pace after Con confirmed Terenure's return to the second division with a 25-17 win at Lakelands Park.
Who will accompany Nure looks like going down to a last-day meeting between UL Bohs and Carlow after their wins at home to St Mary's and UCD.
Dolphin edged closer to promotion after picking up a bonus point away to Ballynahinch, something Old Crescent fell short of doing in their 26-18 win at Bective.
Greystones' demotion from Division Two was confirmed with a 37-27 defeat at UCC while Sunday's Well edged three points clear of Portadown thanks to their win at home to Barnhall.
In Division Three, Waterpark won a probable promotion decider when overcoming Instonians 13-6.
