A dramatic ending to proceedings saw Belfast Harlequins and Malahide share the points in Deramore Park, while Rainey Old Boys are up to third after surviving a late scare against their neighbours.
Belfast Harlequins 19-19 Malahide, Deramore Park
Malahide produced a dramatic late comeback toi share the spoils with Belfast Harlequins, despite the hosts leading 19-0 at the break.
It was all the hosts early on in Deramore Park as they pushed the gap out to 14-0 with 20 minutes on the clock, another try before the break put daylight between them at the interval, with Malahide trailing 19-0.
The game was nearing its conclusion when the visitors got on the board to make it 19-5, just minutes later the drama reached its peak and Malhide found themselves back in the game with the score now tied up.
Rainey Old Boys 21-19 Dungannon, Hatrick Park
Rainey moved up to third with their opponents Dungannon dropping to fourth spot, after surviving a second half comeback as a late missed conversion saw them take all the points at Hatrick Park.
It was a hard fought game between the two sides with the opening score taking 16 minutes to arrive with the hosts managing to get over for a converted try to lead 7-0. The two neighbours fought hard in that opening half with Rainey getting a try in stoppage time to make it a 14-0 lead at the interval.
Dungannon got on the board 13 minutes after the restart, Ben McCaughey crossing and then converting the try to halve the hosts lead, the momentum stayed with Dungannon just after the hour mark James McMahon dotted over for their second try and McCaughey’s conversion levelled matters.
Rainey replied five minutes later with a converted try of their own to restore their seven point winning margin, it would setup a dramatic late ending as Lewis McCrabbe scored in the 77th minute to give his side a late chance at an equaliser, but the conversion failed to reach the mark with Rainey just hanging on for the win.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.