Ballynahinch sealed the Division 1B title and a place in the top flight of the Ulster Bank League for the first time with a 41-8 victory over Buccaneers at Ballymacarn Park this afternoon.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE RESULTS:

Ulster Bank League results

Ballynahinch showed no mercy to a demoralised Bruff team as they took another step closer to Division 1B honours with a 52-point victory in Limerick.

Mike Prendergast’s Young Munster have been training on all-weather surfaces in the build-up to this afternoon’s must-win Ulster Bank League clash with leaders Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium.

There are hurdles to be jumped, but Lansdowne now look ever more likely to clinch the Ulster Bank Division 1A title after their successful negotiation of a tricky encounter against Garryowen at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Ballynahinch’s 10-match unbeaten run in Division 1B was ended by one of their chief rivals, UCD, this afternoon.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: RESULTS:

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: HALF-TIMES:

Tries from back rowers Pierce Dargan and Jack Kelly helped Dublin University defeat Dungannon 24-16 at Merrion Road as the students held onto second place in Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

Ballynahinch failed to win for the first time in this season’s Ulster Bank League, but they fought back well to draw with Malone and stay top of Division 1B.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE RESULTS:

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE HALF-TIMES:

The traditional rivalry between Cork Constitution and Garryowen alone will push today’s Ulster Bank League clash at Temple Hill into the must-see category.

Ballynahinch and Dublin University are locked together on 26 points at the top of Division 1B after both making it six wins out of six this afternoon.

The delight within the Cork Constitution camp was significant after Johnny Holland felled Ulster Bank leaders Lansdowne for the first time in this season’s campaign at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Ballynahinch demolished lowly Blackrock College in a 52-19 success as they stormed to the top of the Division 1B standings.

New Bruff coach and former Munster centre Mike Lynch could hardly contain his admiration for a developing team, following a surprising but thoroughly deserved Ulster Bank League Division 1B victory over favourites Ballymena at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday.

Bruff scored two superb tries on their way to handing out a notable 25-5 defeat to Ballymena in the opening round of Division 1B this afternoon.

Cashel will face the biggest test of their superb ODM Munster Senior Cup run when they visit Cork Constitution in the semi-finals on October 13.

UL Bohemians are celebrating on the double tonight after winning the Division 1B title and securing promotion to the Ulster Bank League's top flight.

Mixed emotions at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday. Dungannon took a giant step towards the summit of Division 1B while their Bruff hosts tumbled into the relegation zone and are left battling for survival.

By stunning Ballymena with a late winning try, Belfast Harlequins inched ever closer to being crowned Division 1B champions and winning promotion to Division 1A.

Bruff turned in a workmanlike performance when beating Ballynahinch 13-8 at Kilballyowen Park today, and they came from behind to do so.

Half-time scores from this afternoon's Ulster Bank League fixtures

Ninth-placed Bruff enjoyed an impressive 27-10 win over UCD at Kilballyowen Park after they made a splendid start.

BARRY KEESHAN’S hopes that Dolphin would show their true colours in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A with a run of home games are coming to fruition.

The two clubs at the bottom of the Division 1B table provided a rousing contest at Kilballyowen Park before Bruff emerged as 22-18 winners over a determined UCC side.

JOHN HAYES spent much of his rugby career avoiding the limelight.

NO matter how much John Hayes achieved on the rugby pitch, there was a broad section of rugby fans and pundits who constantly criticised his qualities as a scrummager.

Ballymena took the spoils in a hotly-contested Ulster derby at Eaton Park, holding on to beat Ballynahinch 6-3 and leapfrog them at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

WHAT was meant to be another milestone in the Bruff rugby odyssey came unstuck last evening when Peter Malone’s out-of-sorts side slumped to a third defeat in a row.

Ballymena claimed the scalp of Bruff, who are always a formidable prospect at Kilballyowen Park, as John Andrews’ side moved up to fifth in the Division 1B table.

Two tries from flanker John Shine helped Bruff come from behind to beat Galwegians 21-12 in Ulster Bank League Division 1B today.

LIMERICK completed a double escape on Saturday as the home side’s prevailed in Saturday’s Ulster Bank League relegation/promotion play-offs.

Results from today's promotion/relegation play-offs

Bruff 17 Clontarf 11

Bruff 17 Lansdowne 26

Bruff 15 Galwegians 25

BRUFF 10 UCC 0

AT a pre-match lunch at Kilballyowen Park yesterday, visiting IRFU President Caleb Powell described Bruff as a remarkable club that embodied all of the positive things in Irish domestic rugby.

NOTHING Bruff achieve these days ranks as a surprise and certainly UCD won’t land at Kilballyowen Park tomorrow with any expectations.

BRUFF 21 DUNGANNON 10

IT was as coach Brian Walsh predicted – difficult – but Cork Constitution were resilient enough to secure the 26-20 victory over Shannon that was required to keep them on top of Division 1A of the All Ireland League.