Instonians need just nine points for automatic promotion in the final run-in of games, eyes very much toward the bottom of the table as the fight for survival will go right down to the wire.
Belfast Harlequins (2T) 20-26 Galway Corinthians (4T), Deramore Park
Corinthians closed the gap to second place as they left bonus point winners in Belfast.
James Nicholson went over to give first blood to the visitors, Jack Conway converting. Charlie Beattie soon struck a penalty to reduce the deficit and crossing the midway mark in that first half, Jaz Andress went over for the hosts, Beattie converting and the lead was 10-7 in their favour. Corinthians hit back before the break, Finn McNulty crossing the whitewash and Conway added the extras, 14-10 at the interval.
Into the second half tries from James Nicholoson and Gareth Kilkelly propelled the visitors into a 26-10 lead, Quinns hit back as Joel Dundas crossed and Beattie converted, Beattie added a penalty just a short while later, enough for a losing bonus point as the hosts could not reduce arrears further.
Dolphin (3T) 21-0 Rainey RFC (0T), Virgin Media Park
Dolphin did their hopes of survival a world of good as they produced an emphatic result to overcome Rainey on home soil.
It was a closely contested opening half, the game really coming to life when Eoghan Herlihy crossed for the opening try, Daryl Foley converting. Dolphin had a host of chances in that period but had to settle for the one try, leading 7-0 at the break.
Momentum stayed with the Cork men as the second half wore on. SNiping early for a second try, Phil Dowling crossed and Foley made it 14-0. Dalton O’Shaughnessy soon added the third try, Foley would have a perfect afternoon with his third kick, not out of the relegation zone yet but it will give them a huge boost in these coming weeks.
Instonians (1T) 13-8 Wanderers (1T), Shaws Bridge
Ritchie McMaster kept his composure to strike two late penalties as Instonians winning run continued as they overcame Wanderers in a top of the table clash. Nine points are needed to see them move up to 2A.
Their bonus point run is over, but with a 12 point lead now at the summit, four games to go it’s in their hands to secure back to back promotions. It was a strong start by the hosts as their driving maul showed their prowess with Neil Saulters getting over for the opening try, McMaster converting. David Fitzgibbon struck a penalty for the visitors and in a cagey half the score was 7-3 at the break.
In the second half Val McDermott crossed for Wanderers, the conversion missed the mark, the lead more importantly was with the visitors. Instonians powered on and off a scrum they had a penalty in front of the posts, McMaster converted and the lead was restored a few minutes later. The hosts kept pressure applied as the minutes ticked by into the red, another penalty in front of the posts saw McMaster prove decisive in the finish. Another big win for the leaders.
Malahide (2T) 14-30 Sligo (4T), Estuary Road
Sligo look to have almost confirmed their spot in the play-offs as they took a bonus point win away from the capital as the weekend, putting them 14 clear of Rainey in fifth.
Sligo, down to 14 men early on, struck the opening blow of the contest when Ryan Feehily crossed for an unconverted try as the conversion struck the post. Momentum stayed with Sligo, after their lineout maul did well to get ground, Ben Hynes touched down for their second try, a swirling breeze saw the conversion miss the mark. David Feenan added a try for the hosts off their lineout maul minutes later, the effort converted by Justin Leonard, 10-7 at the break.
With the wind favouring Sligo in the second period, out half Julian Leszczynski opened the scoring with a penalty. Malahide were reduced to 14 men and with the advantage Sligo pounced, Ethan Faitaua crossing the whitewash and Leszczynski added the extras, 20-7.
A penalty try saw Malahide right back into the contest, Sligo would see the game out however, Leszczynski with another three points from the tee, before another strong lineout drive allowed James O’Hehir to add the bonus try, Leszczynski with the conversion.
Skerries (4T) 29-31 Dungannon (4T), Holmpatrick
Despite an emphatic late comeback, Skerries fell just short to Dungannon, the Ulster side taking the spoils to move further to safety.
Davy Goodman gave Skerries the ideal start as he scored the opening try, Ronan Mulcahy converted for a 7-0 lead. Gannon hit back a short while later with Stephen Todd going over and Ben McCaughey levelled from the tee. Goodman raced under the posts for a second try and Mulcahy had that seven point gap restored.
With quarter of an hour elapsed Dungannon levelled the tie again, Jacob Clarke with the important try and Ben McCaughey converted. Momentum stayed with the visitors as on the half hour mark they hit a third try for the lead, James McMahon went over and Ben McCaughey again slotted the two on offer, 21-14. Mulcahy reduced the deficit with three points from the tee before the break.
Six minutes elapsed in the second half, McCaughey turned try scorer as he went over for the bonus point try, converting the score in the process. Shy of the 70th minute was when the next score was registered, McCaughey with a penalty, a top performer for his side.
Skerries fought until the very end, Ross Halligan crossing for their third try which went unconverted, at the death Paddy Finn added the bonus try, despite Mulcahy converting the try, it was not rough to change the outcome.
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.