Round 15 of the Energia All-Ireland Division 1B brought an exhilarating round of action.
In the highlight of the weekend Old Wesley played host to Naas in a clash between first and third.
Old Wesley 29-19 Naas, Energia Park
Old Wesley scored four tries as the league leaders cruised past Naas in a 29-19 victory at Energia Park.
The home side raced into a 29-7 lead, but Naas fought back valiantly as they scored two quick tries to reduce the deficit to 10. However, that proved to be as close as it got as Old Wesley held on.
The hosts have now won 14 of their 15 games this season, and the defeat sees Naas fall out of third place and into fourth behind Shannon.
City of Armagh 21-10 St Mary’s College, Palace Grounds
City of Armagh returned to winning ways as two tries from Timothy McNiece gave the hosts a 21-10 win over a free failing St Mary’s College.
The two teams were short of confidence heading into the game and so it proved in the first as City of Armagh took a slender 7-5 lead into the break. However, the hosts added two quick tries in the second to secure a much needed win.
The visitors failed to halt an alarming losing skid, which has seen them lose at Old Belvedere and at home to Shannon and now away at City of Armagh in three straight weeks.
Old Belvedere 22-33 Shannon, Ollie Campbell Park
13 points from Jake Flannery proved crucial as Shannon cruised past Old Belvedere in a 22-33 win away at Ollie Campbell Park.
Shannon powered into a dominant 33-10 lead before Old Belvedere fought back through tries from Patrick Dowling and Jack Gilheany to make it 33-22. That proved to be as good as got it however as Shannon took a comfortable win.
Shannon capitalised on Naas’ defeat away at Old Wesley to move into third place in the table, and just five points behind Highfield.
Banbridge 29-15 Navan, Rifle Park
Two tries from Andrew Morrison proved crucial as Banbridge claimed a strong 29-15 win at home to Navan.
The game was one-sided from the outset as Banbridge raced into a comfortable 24-3 lead early on. Navan added two tries through Conor Hand and Ben Daly to add a bit of respectability to the scoreline.
Highfield 29-13 Malone, Woodleigh Park
Highfield kept pace with league leaders Old Wesley as they eased to a 29-13 win at home to Malone.
The hosts ran in four tries as Sean Garrett, Edward Earle, Sam Burns and Ben Murphy scored in a comfortable afternoon at Woodleigh Park.
