Greystones in relegation trouble after defeat

Greystones 15 UL Bohemians 38, Dr. Hickey Park

UL Bohemians plunged Greystones into serious relegation trouble at the bottom of Division One as they came from behind to secure a bonus point win at Dr. Hickey Park.

'Stones sit in last place with only one round of matches remaining. With Lansdowne level on points with them and Dungannon a point above, Colin McEntee's side still have a chance of staying up but they are living on the edge.

This afternoon they led UL 8-5 at half-time with Daniel Kenny and Ian Hanly swapping tries.

But wind-backed Bohs powered clear thanks to tries from Hanly, Mike Long, Fergal Lawlor, Batt Duggan and James O'Neill.

In blustery but sunny conditions, Bohs ventured to the County Wicklow seaside town with little but pride to play for.

Having lost five of their last six league games before today, Bohs have slipped out of play-off contention and down to eighth.

'Stones put in arguably their best display of the season when beat UCD 25-18 at home last weekend but their home form has been decidedly patchy with only two wins from seven outings at Dr. Hickey Park.

James Power, son of club President Pierce, landed a first-minute penalty to get Greystones up and running.

However, Power's direct opponent Lawlor begin to have an influence as Bohs played cleverly into the wind and used their big ball carriers to frustrate a committed Greystones pack.

A simple case of numbers out wide put winger Hanly over for his first score before young Irish Colleges star Daniel Kenny replied for the hosts, after good work from half-backs Power and Cillian Willis.

But backed the elements for the second half, Bohs raised their game sufficiently for the result to be beyond any doubt, just after the hour mark.

Hanly was given far too much space to manoeuvre in and he dotted down two minutes into the second half.

Hooker Mike Long then followed suit, albeit from closer range, and out-half Lawlor, who has been Bohs' player of the season, then shrugged off two tackles before making the line.

Former Ireland Under-21 front rower Batt Duggan added the visitors' sixth try before flanker James O'Neill touched down to complete a devastating spell that saw Bohs score 33 points without reply.

With the game beyond them, 'Stones gained a consolation try ten minutes from the finish when Stuart Abbott barged his way over and Power's conversion kick was the last scoring act of an entertaining if one-sided tie.