Greystones grab win with last-minute try

Dungannon 14 Greystones 16

A last-gasp converted try from lock Stuart Abbott saw Greystones grab their first Division One victory since gaining promotion last May.

This Stevenson Park clash swung in the visitors' favour when Abbott crossed in the left corner and full-back Reinhard Gerber brilliantly converted from the touchline for a 16-14 final score.

A try just before half-time from back rower Thomas Anderson left 'Gannon 11-6 in front, but Gerber's third penalty of the afternoon and the late rally saw the Wicklow men triumph.

For what was their one and only league visit to Ulster this season, Greystones selected a strong line-up with James Power returning from injury and Abbott standing in as captain for the injured Neil Megannety.

Dungannon, who are still without injured full-back Richard McCarter, were hoping to bounce back from their two recent defeats to UCD and Blackrock College.

Kickers Shiels and Gerber traded penalties in the opening quarter. In wet and cold conditions, this was largely a dour game and after further kicks at both ends, former Ireland Under-20 international Anderson shot over from close range for the first half's only try.

Both sides had a player in the sin bin - 'Gannon prop De Jay Terblanche saw yellow as did Greystones front rower Jamie Hagan - and it was the visitors who seemed to manage better when down to 14 men.

Shiels and Gerber swapped their third penalties before in practically the last play of the game, 'Stones struck for the decisive try. It was undoubtedly the best move of the entire 85 minutes as Colin McEntee's men attacked out to the right and then swung the ball back to the left where hooker Alex O'Sullivan passed for Abbott to crash over.

Further drama followed as with the score at 14-14 and a chance to secure his new club's first win of the league campaign, Gerber managed to clip his conversion attempt over. A sweet victory for 'Stones, who are off the bottom of the table, while 'Gannon frustratingly had a third straight loss to contemplate.

Scorers: Dungannon: Try: Thomas Anderson; Pens: James Shiels 3

Greystones: Try: Stuart Abbott; Con: Reinhard Gerber; Pens: Reinhard Gerber 3