Greystones dominate to take Div 3 final

Greystones 39 Instonians 20

Champions Greystones outclassed a brave Instonians side 39-20 in the AIB League Division Three final curtain raiser at Lansdowne Road - scorching through for seven tries in the process.

Having scored 74 tries in the league proper, already-promoted 'Stones signed off to the third tier with a dominant display.

Inst, whose director of rugby John McKibbin and coach Bruce Cornelius were both in charge for a final time, made a fight of it at the death as winger Michael Orcin-McKeever netted their third try for a 27-20 deficit.

But the lighting pace of 'Stones left winger Stewart O'Connell eased any worries the Wicklow men, undefeated since October, had as his mazy run set up flanker Nathan Beuck for a quick try, and O'Connell made the result safe with a touchdown of his own in injury-time.

‘Stones broke loose into a 22-0 lead in the first-half, with Dave McKechnie (2), David Popplewell and Graham Murphy on target, before prop Pierre du Toit's 36th-minute sin-binning allowed Inst back into it.

New Zealand-born flanker Craig Simeon grabbed a late try in the first half, then fly-half Sean Flynn added a penalty on the restart to keep the Belfast side's hopes alive.

Then 'Stones flanker Rob Connolly – bagging an incredible eighteenth try of the season – swapped scores with Inst flanker Mark Hill before Orchin-McKeever made it a 27-20 game with five minutes remaining.

Nonetheless, Beuck and O'Connell crossed in the closing minutes to scupper Inst's revival.

HT: Greystones 22 Instonians 5

Referee: George Clancy (Munster)

Scorers: Greystones: Tries: Dave McKechnie 2, David Popplewell, Graham Murphy, Rob Connolly, Nathan Beuck, Stewart O’Connell; Cons: Wayne Edwards 2

Instonians: Tries: Craig Simeon, Mark Hill, Michael Orchin-McKeever; Con: Sean Flynn; Pen: Flynn