Tight race for top spot

It continues to be tight at the top of Division Two, and it looks as though it will get even tighter before the final placings are ultimately decided. Top teams DLSP, Old Belvedere and Malone all won at the weekend to keep the pressure firmly on the fancied Dungannon, who did not have a match. DLSP's hard-fought 10-8 win over Old Crescent in Stepaside puts them at the top-of-the-table for the meantime, although Dungannon will return to the top if they win against Ballynahinch tomorrow. A late unconverted try by right wing Fergus Walsh enabled DLSP to scramble home against Old Crescent after withstanding intense second half pressure. The defeat ensures that Old Crescent now have nothing other than an outside chance of promotion.

Old Belvedere can thank a strong second half performance for their narrow 10-6 win over Portadown.

David Keogh scored a try for the Dublin team, Donal Martin kicking a conversion and a drop goal. Malone visited Musgrave Park and returned with a 25-23 win over struggling Dolphin. The visitors scored four tries, left wing Scott Carroll crossing twice in a match they largely dominated. Bective Rangers also maintained their healthy position in the upper section of mid-table with a 25-16 win over City of Derry. At the bottom of the table, Skerries continued to struggle, going down 19-16 to UCC in Cork. The Dublin side continue to sit perilously close to the relegation zone. Ballynahinch, however, earned their first points of the season with a 14-12 win over Old Wesley.