Dungannon pip Harlequins

Belfast Harlequins 12 Dungannon 13

Dungannon secured only their second league win in 12 away trips as they held out for a 13-12 triumph over Ulster rivals Belfast Harlequins.

Fly-half Gareth Steenson, one of 14 close-season acquisitions for coach Jeremy Davidson, kicked a crucial eight points as the Tyrone men broke their Deramore Park duck.

Ireland Under 21 Steenson kicked a second minute penalty before referee Marshall Kilgore awarded Harlequins a penalty try.

New signing Michael Swetman converted to settle last season's semi-finalists, but Dungannon soon retook the lead as skipper Paul Magee and Gillan Carruthers combined for their first try.

Steenson made it 10-7 nearing the half-hour. 'Quins forwards rumbled clear on 34 minutes to send flanker Neil Hanna in for their second score. Former Ballymena fly-half Ian Humphreys swept his conversion wide in difficult conditions.

Steenson then was on hand to hammer over from 25 metres in first half injury time for 13-12, and that's the way it stayed for Davidson and co.

Former Carlow centre Swetman missed a second half overlap when a try seemed certain, and cut two late penalties wide as Dungannon held on.

"We knew it would be a tough, physical battle," said former Ireland lock Davidson afterwards. "But we managed to pull through, as much in defence as in attack.

"It's a good start, and sets us up well for our next game against UCD. We're just concentrating on it week by week at this stage, but top four is where we are aiming for.

"It's a long way off yet though," he added.

Scorers: Harlequins: Tries: Penalty try, Neil Hanna; Con: Michael Swetman

Dungannon: Tries: Gillan Carruthers; Con: Gareth Steenson; Pens: Gareth Steenson 2