AIB Cup roundup: Harlequins to face UL Bohemians in next round

Coached by Andy Ward and Adam Larkin, Belfast Harlequins will face a trip to UL Bohemians in the next round of the AIB Cup after coming through their first round encounter with Naas at Deramore Park this afternoon.

'Quins overcame an early Naas onslaught to run out 32-10 winners in an entertaining tie. It was the half-time introduction of new signing John Mills which put this game beyond any doubt, with the New Zealander involved in all of the hosts' second half scores.

Mills, who only arrived at the club on Thursday, made quite an impression on the right wing.

Naas began brightly and a third minute penalty from David Aherne sent them into the lead.

Although 'Quins levelled through a Rory Blake-Knox drop goal, the Kildare men continued to look dangerous. Johnny Holmes finished well when scoring the visitors' only try after 30 minutes.

Aherne's conversion briefly squared it up at 10-all, but first half tries from Colin Atkinson, David Creighton and Samoan prop Alatise Ale handed 'Quins a 22-10 interval lead.

Naas failed to score in the second half as they came under strong pressure from the current Ulster Senior League leaders.

Harlequins strengthened their pack with the additions of Mark McGrath and Andrew Joseph inside 15 minutes of the restart, and with fellow replacement Mills firing on all cylinders, they plotted a course for round 2.

Jarlath Carey's Malone side picked up the opening win in this season's AIB Cup, holding firm for a 16-10 success over Sunday's Well at Musgrave Park.

In the lunchtime kick-off in Cork, Malone blew off the cobwebs from the long journey south by building a 16-0 half-time lead.

It was all Malone in the opening quarter as Josh Pentland landed an early penalty and strong-running centre Stuart Wilson burst through for a breakaway try which out-half Pentland converted.

The Ulster underage player knocked over penalties after 21 and 27 minutes, boosting his personal haul to 11 points, as the Belfast outfit, who are preparing for the start of AIB League Division 2 next week, took a tight grip on proceedings.

But the 'Well launched a fiery fightback in the second half. The Division 3 side, coached this term by Keith 'Cheeky' Murphy, grabbed a deserved try through new scrum half Ruairi Geary.

The 'Well, who were without a number of key players, got right back into contention with half-backs Tom Parker and Geary directing matters behind a very competitive pack.

After a John Verling penalty got the hosts on the scoreboard, the Corkmen followed up with Geary's try, scored off a big drive from close range.

Verling added the conversion and though further pressure came on the Malone defence from Barry Hanrahan and Chris Long, the visitors maintain their lead of six points to secure a second round date at home to Blackrock College on October 17.

Meanwhile, AIB League Division 2 newboys Corinthians needed extra-time to see off Wanderers by 33-20 at Corinthian Park.

A converted try from new Connacht winger Thomas Timani, a recent arrival from New Zealand, a penalty from Wayne Williams and a drop goal from Darin Claasen helped Corinthians come out on top in extra-time.

Shane Moynihan, the Galway side's new out-half, scored an early try and Pat Cunningham showed great strength to break a tackle for try number 2.

But Wanderers closed the gap back to 14-8 with a terrific try from former underage international Paddy Brophy.

Further tries from Craig Dalton and former Connacht Under-20 flanker Philip Rowe edged the Dubliners ahead, before a Moynihan penalty sent the game into extra-time at 20-all.

Corinthians will be away to UCC in the second round, while Barnhall, 22-3 conquerors of Suttonians, will also be on their travels to Cork to face Dolphin.

The Blue Bulls had tries from Jerome Bidau and impressive flanker Lorris Zaglio, as well as a healthy kicking contribution from Leo Quinn, as they got the better of Suttonians at Parsonstown.

Elsewhere, Navan, the 2008 AIB Junior Cup champions, made a winning senior bow as they secured a 20-10 home victory over Instonians, while Bruff, Queen's University, Greystones, Thomond, UCD and Old Crescent all claimed away wins - Queen's 43-3 defeat of County Carlow catching the eye the most.

The big Donnybrook derby went the way of Bective Rangers on a 21-20 scoreline and Terenure College, under the tutelage of new director of rugby Ian 'Moggy' Morgan, showed some good early season form by hammering Connemara 59-17 at Lakelands.