In a dramatic round of 1B action, Banbridge kept their survival hopes alive with a narrow victory over Malone while at the top City of Armagh suffered a shock loss but so did Buccaneers and Old Belvedere who failed to make up ground.
Banbridge 35-29 Malone, Rifle Park
The home side took an early lead with Ben Carson crashing over with Adam Doherty adding the conversion before Rob Lyttle scored their second try.
Aaron Sexton scored an intercept try in response before Neil Kilpatrick went over to restore Banbridge’s 14-point lead after half an hour.
Peter Cromie secured the bonus point before Sexton scored his second, third and then fourth tries to set up a grandstand finish.
However, Greg Jones secured the win and five vital points for Banbridge that puts them four points off eighth, while Malone looked doomed eight points adrift.
Buccaneers 7-27 Highfield, Dubarry Park
Highfield secured a major upset with a bonus point victory over Buccaneers at Dubarry Park.
The visitors’ win moves them up to fourth to all but secure a playoff position while Buccaneers are just a point ahead of their opponents.
Naas 25-17 Old Belvedere, Forenaughts
Second place Old Belvedere blew the opportunity to go top of 1B as seventh place Naas secured an invaluable five points.
Naas took the lead with a Bryan Croke penalty and tries from Conor Halpenny and Conor Doyle.
The home side extended their lead with Donal Conroy’s score before Old Belvedere hit back with unanswered tries by Cal Dowling and a penalty score but Craig Ronlanson’s try sealed the win.
Old Wesley 13-6 City of Armagh, Energia Park
Old Wesley edged a tight affair to hand City of Armagh just their fourth loss of the season.
The home side moved up to fifth while the league leaders remained on top by five points.
St Mary’s College 40-32 UCC, Templeville Road
St Mary’s College fought hard to secure a bonus point victory over UCC.
The home side moved up to sixth after their seventh win of the season while UCC remained in the relegation battle in eighth, four points clear of the drop zone.
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.