Second-string Cork Con go close against Harlequins

Cork Constitution 21, Belfast Harlequins 27

A win for Belfast Harlequins, but not in the manner in which they expected once they saw the Cork Constitution line up before the game.

Con were minus their nine contracted players and started with three of their under 20 side but battled bravely for long spells and deserved something from this AIL game played in Temple Hill today.

The visitors led 12-0 after 10 minutes with tries coming from Chris McCarey and Jonny Lowe and a rout looked to be on the cards.

But Con never gave up and inspired by Ultan O’Callaghan and Mick Ross they came storming back into the game.

An Alistar Cowley try was quickly followed by one from Dave O’Brien.

Pat McCarthy converted both and Con led 14-12 and deservedly so.

Sheldon Coulter restored the visitors lead with a drop goal before Gareth Murray ran in the home side’s third try which gave them a half-time lead of 21-15.

Harlequins upped the tempo in the second period and with Ajay Derwin in superb kicking form they soon led 24 to 21 thanks to three penalties from their out-half.

He added a final penalty in the dying moments to seal a win that keeps Harlequins in the hunt for that all-important fourth position in the league.

Scorers:

Cork Con: (P McCarthy 3 cons; A Cowley, D O’Brien and G Murray all one try each)

Belfast Harlequins: ( AJ Derwin 4 pens and 1 con; C McCarey and J Lowe try; S Coulter drop goal)