Spee bags two tries as Quins end Carlow bid

BELFAST HARLEQUINS continued their push for AIB League honours when they enjoyed a well deserved 24-13 victory over Co Carlow at Oak Park on Saturday.

Hero of the hour was Reece Spee who scored twice to bring an end to the Carlow challenge.

Carlow are now one point ahead of Ballymena, who also grabbed a bonus point in their shock win over Shannon at Thomond Park.

Blackrock kept their hopes of a top four finish alive when Michael Price grabbed a last minute try to secure a 16-9 win over UCD at Stradbrook.

The win was no less than Blackrock deserved as twice earlier, Conor Kilroy suffered the heartbreak of missing penalty goals. He made up for those lapses with three earlier penalties and the conversion of Price's try.

Drama also unfolded on the back pitch at Lansdowne Road when Lansdowne pulled off a last minute victory over Clontarf.

Trailing by six points, Jim O'Donoghue surged over for a try and Shane Whelan provided the match-winning points with a successful conversion. Shannon won the match 27-26.

St Mary's College were comprehensive 34-13 winners over Dungannon at Templeville Road although they failed to get the bonus point in their battle against relegation.

Galwegians are still rooted to the bottom of the table but did themselves a huge favour with a surprise win over Dolphin at Musgrave Park. Dolphin will be very disappointed by the loss as they would have identified this game as an ideal opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom clubs.

In division two Old Belvedere and Bective Rangers continue to set the pack although Bective slipped into second place after a 6-6 draw with Ballynahinch.

Belvedere were also troubled before beating Malone 26-22 at Anglesea Road.

UL Bohemians have a match in hand and lie in joint third with Trinity College, who managed to beat DLSP at College Park.

There is still no good news for Sunday's Well despite a great effort at Rosbrien when they lost by just a single point (28-29) after conceding an injury-time try. Still, Young Munster's defeat by Thomond and the 9-9 draw played out between Midleton and Waterpark, gives them some slim hope of retaining their status in the division.

The battle for promotion from division three continued when three of the top four teams won. Banbridge's game with Corinthians was postponed.

Greystones scored five tries on their way to a 29-16 win over Portadown at Dr Hickey Park, while Ards trounced Wanderers 48-18.

Highfield were also at home and managed to beat Clonakilty 13-10 in a hard fought game. Greystones lead with 43 points, Ards are on 42 and Highfield just a further point adrift.