Ulster Bank League Division 1B round-up

Malone have taken over from UCD at the top of the Division 1B following their 60-3 demolition of Ulster rivals Ballymena this afternoon.

Jacques Benade’s in-form side turned on the style at Eaton Park as they ran in nine tries, making it 13 in two games since their arrival in this division.

Once again, number 8 and captain Glenn Moore had an important input for Malone, scoring a hat-trick of tries in a storming individual display.

His back row colleagues Neil Alcorn (2) and Conor Joyce also breached a lacklustre Ballymena defence, while backs Chris Leathem, Mark Gribben and John Creighton also touched down for the visitors.

Ballymena were already 43-3 adrift by half-time, with Welsh-born scrum half Scott Gibson kicking their only points of a forgettable day at the office.

The division’s second Ulster derby of the day saw Ballynahinch take the spoils against Belfast Harlequins, despite only scoring a single penalty in the second half.

In a tight finish, right winger Michael Lawton landed the match-winning kick to add to his try, conversion and penalty from the opening 40 minutes.

Harlequins, who were 10-3 down at the break, came back with an Adam D’Arcy try and a second penalty from Ulster Under-20 starlet Rory Scholes but they finished on the wrong side of a 13-11 verdict.

At Stradbrook, Buccaneers opened their win account for the campaign as tries from centre Conor Finn and flanker Luke Satchwell helped them overcome Blackrock College 23-14.

The student sides, UCD and Dublin University, are riding high in the top three after maintaining their winning starts to the league run today.

Livewire flanker Brian du Toit was a try scorer along with Niyi Adoelukun and Paddy Lavelle as Dublin University came from behind to beat Dungannon 22-16 at Stevenson Park.

Ireland Under-20 international Barry Daly made it three tries in two games as UCD stormed clear of Bruff in the second half of their clash, with ‘College enjoying a 42-10 triumph.

New Bruff boss Mike Lynch called on his young side to show more ‘self belief’ after their failure to notch a try-scoring bonus point against Ballymena last Saturday.

They got off to a solid start against the students, with out-half Brian Carroll slotting an early penalty. However, James Thornton was quick to reply for the hosts after Bruff were caught offside.

‘College kicked on then with a move off the top of a lineout sending big winger Daly over in the right corner for a five-pointer.

Bruff were unable to convert their pressure into points - their pack being thwarted five metres out on a couple of occasions - and a second Thornton penalty gave UCD an 11-3 interval buffer.

The Limerick side defended well in and around half-time and were able to add a try from centre Tom O’Callaghan, but UCD’s class came to the fore.

Further tries from Shane Grannell, Mark McGroarty, Alex Kelly, Sam Coghlan Murray and Jordan Coghlan exhibited the gulf of young talent currently at UCD’s disposal.