It was an action packed and try plentiful weekend in Division 2B of the Energia All Ireland League.
Belfast Harlequins shocked league leaders Greystones with a 24-14 victory at Dr. Hickey Park. Sligo’s game with Blackrock College was postponed due to weather conditions while Wanderers left it late to overcome Ballina at Merrion Road. Dungannon held Galway Corinthians to an entertaining 29-29 draw while Malahide made it three wins on the bounce by beating Galwegians.
Wanderers 36-20 Ballina, Saturday 19th February, Merrion Road.
The Chaps got back to winning ways with a brilliant win over Ballina today. The scores were level heading into the final 20 minutes of the game but some brilliant individual performances from Cian Doody and Conor McQuaid secured the win for Wanderers. Ballina remain with just one win this season and will be eager to find a well needed win at home to Sligo next weekend. Wanderers travel to Corinthian Park in what will be a huge game in their quest for promotion.
Greystones 14 Belfast Harlequins 24, Saturday 19th February, Dr. Hickey Park, 2:30pm.
Stones fell to just their second defeat of the AIL campaign and their first home loss at the hands of Belfast Harlequins. Tries from Daryl Marshall, Joel Dundas, Kieran Tomlinson and Luke Graham sends Quins into third place in the standings. It’s Galwegians next for the Ulster side as they welcome the bottom side to Deramore Park while Greystones will look to get back to winning ways against Blackrock College.
Galwegians 16-17 Malahide, Saturday 19th February, Crowley Park, 2:30pm.
Malahide made it three wins in a row after a narrow win against relegation rivals Galwegians. Malahide have now leapfrogged Ballina in eighth place while Wegians remain bottom with just six points to their name. Adam Kennedy and Daniel Hayes were both on the scoresheet for the Estuary Road outfit and their recent form is a huge plus to the Dublin side, heading into the final stages of the season. Wegians face Belfast Harlequins next while Malahide host seventh placed Dungannon.
Dungannon 29-29 Galway Corinthians, Saturday 19th February, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm.
Corinthians missed the chance to close the gap on Greystones today as they were held to a frustrating draw away to Dungannon. Corinthians now slip to third placed in the table after Wanderer’s bonus point victory and the Connacht side are now without a win in their last two games. The promotion hopefuls face Wanderers in a huge game in the race for the top 4 next week while Dungannon travel to the capital to play the inform Malahide.
Sligo P-P Blackrock College, Saturday 19th February, Hamilton Park.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.