Buccs the only top six team to falter

IT was a good weekend for five of the top six in Division 1, with leaders Clontarf, Lansdowne, Ballymena, Galwegians and Cork Con all winning, and all picking up a bonus point for scoring four tries or more.

The only top six club to lose ground was Buccaneers, 32-17 losers to Clontarf away.

They held their fourth place position, but lost considerable ground on the front three, and now face a challenge from the likes of Galwegians, Cork Con, Shannon, St. Mary’s, Belfast Harlequins and Blackrock for that last qualifying play-off position.

Galwegians are closest, one point behind Bucs on 34 points. However, they’ve played the same number of games.

Just two points separate the next five clubs, Cork Con closest on 30, but with just eleven games played, all have a game in hand on both Bucs and ‘Wegians.

At the bottom, Terenure look doomed, six points from eleven games, while UL-Bohemians and Co. Carlow, on 14 and 13 points respectively with 12 games each, battle it out to avoid the second relegation spot.

Interesting times dead ahead.

In Division Two, Old Crescent laid down a marker with a comprehensive victory over Midleton at Rosbrien on Saturday.

Midleton don’t normally leak a lot of points, but Crescent hit them for 47 and scored six tries in the process. The bonus point edged them closer to the leaders.

University College Cork have shocked more than one side this season and Saturday was Thomond’s turn.

The third placed side slipped out of the promotion hunt when the students led 16-0 at half time and then clung on to record a 23-17 win.

Ballynahinch jumped above Malone in mid-table when they recorded an excellent win at Gibson Park, scoring four tries to claim a bonus point in a 22-15 win.

Barnhall and DLSP are still involved in a fight for fourth place, but the Kilternan side in fifth will be slight favourites to go through. They have a game in hand over both Barnhall and Young Munster.

At the bottom of the table, Greystones look headed for the drop after losing to Dublin University.

Portadown, despite a shock win over Sundays Well at Chambers Park, are still in the danger zone four points adrift of Trinity. These two have four games to go while the Well (on 21 points with the students) have only three. They are still not in the comfort zone.

In Division Three, Waterpark are one victory away from securing a place in division two of the AIB League next season.

However, their next assignment, at Shaws Bridge on April 5 will surely be the toughest game of the season.

Instonians, their only rivals for the title, are just two points adrift and a smashing 41-14 victory over City of Derry this weekend was indicative of how determined they are to move up.

Instonians scored six tries on their way to a facile win while Waterpark were less than convincing winners over Corinthians.

Still, judging both games in isolation, Waterpark faced more difficult opponents in a side still fighting for a top four place.

Waterpark will be glad of escaping with a 14-12 win and the difference was in their ability to convert both of their tries while Corinthians managed just one.

Victory on April 5 would be enough to secure Waterpark’s promotion, but Instonians could keep the battle alive until the last day of the season by taking the spoils.

The battle for third and fourth places is by no means over. Wanderers, Corinthians, Banbridge, Old Wesley and Highfield are all positioned but Wanderers and Corinthians are better positioned than the rest.

One thing seems sure is that Monkstown face the drop. With just eight points (ten less than Naas), and with three games to go, their task appears to be impossible.

Naas have a game in hand and put a bit of daylight between the teams with a 26-25 win over Highfield on Saturday.

Monkstown lost their match at home to Banbridge.