It was another cracking weekend of competitive fixtures in Division 1B. Naas provided the surprise of the round, giving UCC their first defeat of the campaign.
UCC 21-26 Naas, The Mardyke
Naas backed up their win last week by becoming the first team to beat UCC.
Johne Murphy’s men have hit some good form in this block of fixtures. Inform winger Andrew Osbourne scored another couple of tries on their way to victory. Out half Brian Croke made a nine-point contribution on the day, with a try and two conversions. A penalty try was their other score, securing a valuable bonus point.
UCC have been the team to beat in this division. A strong second half made sure that they got the losing bonus point. Sean Condon, Scott Buckley, Mike Cogan making up their scoresheet.
Old Belvedere 31-24 Old Wesley, Ollie Campbell Park
Old Belvedere rarely put a foot wrong at home in Ollie Campbell Park and they continued that trend at the weekend beating Old Wesley.
Ben Mannion’s side scored a great balance of tries both up front and out wide. A penalty try, Fionn McWey from close range, Jamie McAleese on a good support line and Callum Dowling made up the hosts tries.
Old Wesley had their periods of dominance in the game, showing exactly what they can do. Cronan Gleeson, Josh O’Hare and James O’Donovan getting the tries for them. They did enough to earn the losing bonus point.
Malone 18-35 Buccaneers, Gibson Park
Buccaneers got their fourth consecutive win up north against a struggling Malone on Saturday.
Consistent form is something that’s very hard to find in a league as competitive in 1B, but Buccs seem to have figured it out at the moment. Experienced player Shane Layden is loving his rugby, adding to his personal tally, scoring two more tries at the weekend in a comfortable bonus point win.
Malone got three tries of their own but it wasn’t enough to get them any sort of points.
St Mary’s College 66-7 Banbridge, Templeville Road
St Mary’s turned on the style when they put Banbridge to the sword on Saturday afternoon.
Former Irish International Sean Croinin has got his men motoring with another win at Templeville. They ran in ten tries, it was the perfect performance, keeping them very much at the top end of the table.
City of Armagh 39-21 Highfield, Palace Grounds
City of Armagh continued their good winning record at home by getting the bonus point over Highfield on Saturday.
Nigel Simpson, James McCormick, Kyle Faloon and Ross Taylor scoring their tries
