The race for promotion in Division 2B of the Energia All Ireland League has been blown wide open with leaders Greystones losing their second game on the bounce.
Galway Corinthians closed the gap on the league leaders with a narrow victory over Wanderers while there were also wins for Malahide, Belfast Harlequins and Ballina.
Malahide 17-7 Dungannon, Saturday 26th February, Estuary Road.
Malahide made it four wins in a row with a brilliant victory over Dungannon. The win for the North Dublin side moves them to 23 points but remain eight behind Dungannon. Tries from Daniel Hayes and Dave O’Halloran secured the win for Malahide who are yet to lose since the turn of the new year. Wanderers await the Estuary Road outfit next weekend while Dungannon travel to Crowley Park to face Galwegians.
Galway Corinthians 20-19 Wanderers, Saturday 26th February, Corinthian Park.
Corinthians closed the gap on league leaders Greystones to just seven points after they got back to winning ways this weekend. The Chaps slip down to fifth place, a point behind Blackrock College in the standings. It’s yet another slim margin loss for the Merrion Road side but they remain well in the fight for a top four spot. Corinthians travel to Sligo next for a Connacht derby while Wanderers host Malahide.
Blackrock College 21-17 Greystones, Saturday 26th February, Stradbrook.
Blackrock handed Stones their third loss of the season and a second in a row after a fantastic performance at Stradbrook. Matthew O’Brien and Ntuhuku Mthempu scored for the league leaders but a late try from Blackrock stole the points to send the Dublin side into fourth place in the league with a game in hand over their rivals. Greystones host Ballina next while Rock face another big test away to Belfast Harlequins.
Belfast Harlequins 18-8 Galwegians, Saturday 26th February, Deramore Park.
Quins continued their promotion charge with a valuable home win over last placed Galwegians today. Two first half tries from Joel Dundas and Ross Bingham as well as eight points from the boot of Paul Kerr wrapped up the win for the Ulster side. Quins host Blackrock College next week in a huge game which could have a huge role in deciding who finishes inside the top four. Wegians host Dungannon next and will be eager to find their first win since matchday one.
Ballina 25-15 Sligo, Saturday 26th February, Heffernan Park.
Sligo’s promotion hopes were dealt another huge blow after a surprise loss to Ballina. It’s just the Mayo side’s second win of the campaign while Sligo have now lost their last three games. Ballina now move to within two points of Malahide in eighth place while Sligo remain in sixth. Sligo host the high flying Galway Corinthians next while Ballina travel to league leaders Greystones.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.