Testing times for Dolphin and Waterpark as clock ticks down

THESE are exciting but testing times for both Dolphin and Waterpark in their respective divisions and hopeful ones for Old Crescent and Instonians.

The battle for the AIB League Divisions 2 and 3 titles could hardly be more exciting, with Dolphin trying to shake off Old Crescent and Waterpark doing their best to head Instonians.

For third division Waterpark, there was a priceless victory at Shaws Bridge over their nearest rivals. The pity from their point of view was that Instonians managed to pick up a bonus point to keep their hopes alive.

Waterpark lead by five points but have to pick up something from their last game with Skerries.

If they lose, and league positions suggest they shouldn’t, Instonians could sneak through by picking up maximum points away to Banbridge. Instonians have a much better scoring average. Banbridge are unlikely to be overrun that easily, however, and they were impressive winners over Naas in their battle to secure a top four spot. Currently they lie in sixth place but have not given up hope of making the play off stages.

Skerries, meanwhile, are in the lower reaches of the table and their away form has not been particularly good this season.

In Division 2, the scene is set for an amazing finale. Dolphin picked up a bonus point with a superb away victory to Ballynahinch while nearest rivals Old Crescent lost ground when they failed to do the same in beating Bective Rangers at Donnybrook. So, two points now separate the teams who are all on their own at the top.

Dolphin round off their programme with a game against Malone on Saturday, while Old Crescent also have a home fixture against Old Belvedere.

Mike Pettman was, once again, the star of Dolphin’s magnificent 42-17 win over Ballynahinch and contributed two of the five tries that secured a bonus point.

Crescent had it that much rougher against Bective but, while each team scored two tries, Stephen Tuohy’s kicking ability (four penalties and two conversions) was the deciding factor.

Greystones will play division three rugby next season, but the battle to avoid joining them is still underway.

Portadown, beaten by DLSP, at home, are in second last, three points behind Sunday’s Well, who managed to secure a win over Barnhall on Saturday.

The positive for Sunday’s Well is that they have a game in hand over better placed Bective who are three points ahead.

At the bottom of Division 3, there is still plenty to play for apart, of course, for Monkstown.

Derry are second last and they did themselves no favours by losing to Corinthians at Judge’s Road on Saturday. Naas hauled themselves up a bit by picking up a bonus point in the 34-37 loss to Banbridge and Naas have the benefit of having two games remaining. Skerries, Queens and Suttonians lie above them but Naas, by winning the last two games, could overtake the three.