Terenure...27 Lansdowne...23: Terenure put themselves right back into contention for a Top Four place at Lakelands on Saturday. Playing with the wind, the incisive home pack opened the way for Dermot McEnerney to steal in for a first-minute try which was converted by outhalf Richard Governey.
Governey went on to score 15 more points from penalties to secure a victory against the general run of play.
Lansdowne struck only once in the first half when scrumhalf Shane Whelan completed a fine move started by Alan McGowan.
Terenure put themselves into a commanding position just before half-time when right wing Philip Costello finished a slicing half break by Governey.
Lansdowne livened things up immediately after the restart with a penalty by Alan McGowan and a finely worked try by Robbie Dolan, also converted by McGowan.
It was on the cards that Lansdowne would make up the difference, but resolute defence from the Terenure back row, with a splendid performance from number eight Dermot Blaney, kept the headquarters side at bay, apart from a late individual try from outstanding winger Fiacra Baynes.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 1 min: McEnerney try, Governey con, 7-0; 9 mins: Governey pen, 10-0; 15 mins: Whelan try, 10-5; 18 mins: Governey pen, 13-5; 21 mins: Governey pen, 16-5; 27 mins: Governney, pen, 19-5; 38 mins: Costello try, 26-5; 42 mins: McGowan pen, 24-8; 44 mins: Dolan try, McGowan con, 24-15; 70 mins: Governey pen, 27-18: 79 mins: Baynes try, 27-23.
TERENURE: S Cullen (capt); P Costello, D McEnerney, M Smyth, S King; R Governey, K Putt; J Nolan, C Egan, S Barretto, M Quinn, D Quinn, A Ryan, B Kavanagh, D Blaney. Replacements: M O'Kelly for McEnerney, D Mahony for Putt, B Blaney for Egan.
LANSDOWNE: B Doherty: R Dolan, D Quigley, B Geraghty, F Baynes; A McGowan, S Whelan; E Bohan, A Ronan, A McKeen, S O'Connor, G Quinn, S Rooney (capt), L Toland, A McCullen. Replacements: A Magro for Quigley, C McMahon for McKeen,
Referee: D McHugh (Munster Branch).