Quins take ninth win

Clontarf 17 Belfast Harlequins 32, Castle Avenue

HT: Clontarf 5 Belfast Harlequins 20

Belfast Harlequins moved into third spot in Division One with a handsome 32-17 win over Clontarf at Castle Avenue, handing them their ninth win of the season and a crucial eighth bonus point.

Against a poor Clontarf, who are still winless in 2004, Harlequins scored a fourth try deep into stoppage time through the Division’s top try scorer Willem Slabbert.

The win sets them up for a humdinger of a final day play-off clash against reigning champions Ballymena, who are three points behind them, at Deramore Park.

Out-half Ajay Derwin opened up the scoring with a fifth minute penalty before left wing Colin Atkinson (24 minutes), set up by busy scrum half Reece Spee, and then full back Johnny Lowe just past the half hour sent Harlequins 20-5 up at the break.

Clontarf centre Conor Mahony had managed to sneak in for his side’s sole score in the opening period, and they cut the Belfast lead back to three with two quick efforts from Daire Higgins and James Downey, a first-time scorer for Leinster last night.

But predictably the visitors, who have now scored 45 tries in 13 games, had more in the tank and both centre Greg Mitchell and Slabbert got in for the sealing scores.

Scorers: Clontarf: Try: Conor Mahony, Daire Higgins, James Downey; Con: Dave McAllister

Harlequins: Tries: Colm Atkinson, Johnny Lowe, Greg Mitchell, Willem Slabbert; Cons: Ajay Derwin 3; Pens: Ajay Derwin 2