UCD just four points clear after run of six wins ends

UCD’s lead at the top of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A has been cut to four points. Lansdowne edged them 22-20 on Saturday.

The students’ six-match winning streak ended on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch. Lansdowne captain, Scott Deasy, played a central role, with 17 points.

Out-half Deasy kicked five penalties and converted a second-half try from Leinster’s Cian Kelleher, as Mike Ruddock’s men climbed one place, into fifth, courtesy of their third straight victory.

It was tough for the league leaders to take, as they outscored Lansdowne three tries to one — forwards Liam Hyland and Josh Murphy and centre, Jamie Glynn, touched down — but former Munster player, Deasy, again scored the match winner.

Clontarf ended their two-match losing streak in the league with a hard-earned, 17-5 victory away to Galwegians, with tries from young props, Vakhtang Abdaladze and Ivan Soroka.

Out-of-sorts Old Belvedere slumped to their fourth league defeat on the trot, as Garryowen ran out 27-14 bonus point winners at Dooradoyle. Munster’s Jordan Coghlan was impressive for the Light Blues, while Steve McMahon, captain Josh Hrstich, David Johnston and James McInerney shared the tries.

Bottom side Ballynahinch dug deep in defence for their first away league win since beating Dolphin, in Cork, last March. They toppled Terenure College 20-9 at Lakelands Park. First-half tries from David McGuigan and Jordan Grattan did the damage.

Meanwhile, Buccaneers had five points to spare (30-25) at the end of a thrilling division 1B clash with Ballymena, at Eaton Park. They outscored the Braidmen 22-8, after the break, running in tries through Callum Boland (2) and Rory O’Connor (with his ninth of the campaign).

Second-row, Iain McGann, scored the first of Old Wesley’s four tries, as Morgan Lennon’s men got back to winning ways with a well-merited 28-10 triumph at Blackrock.

A superb final-quarter surge, including tries from Brian du Toit, Raef Tyrrell, Brian Slater and Warren Larkin, saw promotion-chasing Dublin University carve out a 29-6 bonus-point victory over Dolphin, at College Park.

Bottom side, Belfast Harlequins, fell to a disappointing 40-0 defeat to Shannon at Thomond Park, as centre, Will Leonard, and full-back, Ronan McKenna, helped themselves to two tries each.

St. Mary’s College overcame an interval deficit to defeat a lively UL Bohemians team 22-13, at Templeville Road.

Second-half tries from Steve Toal-Lennon and Mark Fallon proved crucial for the division’s pace-setters.