Old Belvedere lose ground to leaders Clontarf

A late try salvaged a draw for Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road, but the Ulster Bank League challengers still lost ground to table toppers Clontarf.

Belvedere were seeking a seventh consecutive victory on Saturday but ended up struggling to contain St Mary’s who led 22-17 with minutes left. The home side were rewarded with a late try by Daniel Riordan, his sixth of the season, but had to settle for the draw with Fergal Lawlor sending the conversion wide.

Champions Lansdowne continued their climb up the table and moved into third courtesy of a hard-fought 13-9 win over doomed Garryowen. With former Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan ack as an advisor to the light blues they provided Lansdowne with a tough task and the difference was the concession of a penalty try before the interval.

If there was any consolation for Garryowen it was that they picked up a losing bonus point while fellow strugglers Ballynahinch didn’t in their 0-13 home loss to Dolphin.

Meanwhile, full-back Chris Quinn drove home two long range penalties to guide Cork Constitution to a 14-6 defeat of UCD at Temple Hill. Out-half Darragh Lyons crossed for a 13th minute try, following good interplay between Gerry Hurley, Cathal O’Flaherty and John Ryan. Hurley added a 20-metre penalty before the students responded with two successful place-kicks from number 10 James Thornton.

Cork Con gained the upper hand again thanks to Quinn’s accuracy off the kicking tee. He landed a 60m shot in the 64th minute and sealed the result with an effort from 50m in the dying minutes.

Terenure continued their drive towards the Division 1B title when they beat promotion hopefuls UL Bohemians.

Bohs stay third behind Corinthians who scraped home 23-22 at home to Dublin University, while Buccaneers lost at home to Belfast Harlequins and stay fourth.

There’s no change at the top of Division 2A with Galwegians defeating UCC and Queens getting the better of Old Wesley. At the other end of the table things appear to be improving for Highfield who managed a second successive victory, this time over Seapoint, and that pushes them above Old Crescent into 14th place after the Limerick side lost away to Bective Rangers.