UCD keep up hot pace

Newly promoted UCD continue to prosper in the Ulster Bank League and Saturday’s bonus-point victory over Dolphin allowed them stretch their lead at the top of the table to two points.

The four-try performance was just too much for dogged Dolphin, whose only scores came from a Rory Scannell try and Barry Keeshan conversion.

Cork Constitution didn’t have matters their own way at Temple Hill but will be glad to squeeze through 18-15 against bottom club Garryowen.

Each side scored two tries but the difference in the end came down to goal-kicking, with Johnny Holland finding range with two penalties and a conversion to secure the win.

Clontarf’s victory over St Mary’s under lights on Friday helped secure third place as Old Belvedere pushed their way up into fourth following the win over Young Munster.

Champions Lansdowne dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with a second successive victory — a hard-fought tussle away to Ballynahinch, who stay second from the bottom.

In Division 1B there were wins for all the leaders Terenure, Buccaneers, Corinthians and UL Bohemians, with the best display of the day coming from the Dublin side courtesy of a bonus-point win over Malone.

Ballymena and City of Derry continue to dominate Division 2A while Galwegians, UCC and Cashel all pushed up the table.

Nenagh Ormond secured an excellent away win at Tullamore which keeps them top of Division 2B from Skerries, who kept the pressure on following a 32-10 win over Boyne. It was another difficult day for bottom club Sundays Well, who lost narrowly at home to fifth-placed Ards.