Div 1B round-up: Bruff, Buccs and Bohs all win

Bruff turned in a workmanlike performance when beating Ballynahinch 13-8 at Kilballyowen Park today, and they came from behind to do so.

The game was only six minutes old when 'Hinch back rower Jonny Graham grabbed a try for the visitors. Indeed, Bruff had to wait until the half hour mark for their first points.

The ever dependable Brian Cahill landed a penalty for the Limerick men and then in the last play of the half, the home side went into a lead they never relinquished.

Following a lineout Bruff set up a rolling maul and after several attempts to get over it was flanker John Shine who eventually dived over from just a metre out.

Cahill converted and he put over his second successful penalty after 65 minutes. Ballynahinch did manage to take a losing bonus point from the game thanks to a late penalty by New Zealander James Lash.

At the top of the table, frontrunning sides Belfast Harlequins and Ballymena both suffered defeats with Buccaneers moving up to third place on the back of a 37-30 triumph over 'Quins.

'Quins scored two tries in the closing 15 minutes at Dubarry Park, including their fourth of the day from Ulster prop Adam Macklin. All that meant that Adam Larkin's men salvaged two bonus points from this action-packed encounter.

Buccaneers built a 22-17 half-time lead and had enough firepower to see out a vital result which keeps them in the running for promotion. The Connacht-capped Mark McCrea and Eoghan Grace were among their five try scorers.

Meanwhile, at Eaton Park, hosts Ballymena were well-beaten by UL Bohemians on a 27-13 scoreline. Ulster's Luke Marshall scored all of the Braidmen's points, courtesy of a try, a conversion and two penalties.

Bohs, who are mid table but still within reach of the summit, trailed by 13-12 at the break. But tries from impressive right winger Finbarr Aherne, who notched a brace, Munster prospect Dave Kilcoyne and out-half Ed Torrie did the business for the Limerick outfit.

First half tries from Michael Twomey and Richie Bent saw UCD well in the hunt for an away victory at Crowley Park. At the end of the opening period, they were just 19-14 behind Galwegians.

However, the men from the west took it up a few notches in the second half and tries from Colin Conroy (53 mins), Brian Murphy (67) and Jason East (80) put the seal on a runaway 38-17 win for the hosts.

Dungannon won for the first time in four league games when they got the better of a game UCC side by 37-27 at the Mardyke.

Blonde-topped winger Chris Cochrane made it a memorable weekend for himself by scoring one of the Tyrone side's tries, adding to the one he picked up as a replacement in Ulster's RaboDirect PRO12 defeat of Edinburgh last night.