Blackrock keep pace with City of Derry

Not a bad start from Blackrock College from whom much is expected this season. Division Two status is something they wish to shake off within a year and a healthy 30-6 win over Dolphin at Stradbrook was certainly a positive way to start the campaign and picking up a bonus point because of running in four tries was just the opener coach Kevin West was hoping for from his young side.

Leading 13-6 at half time, Blackrock went on to add 17 points after the break to no reply, with two tries from scrum-half Jim Ferris and one each from Michael Price and Brian O'Driscoll. Out-half Emmet Farrell also kicked two penalties and two conversions.

The victory sets up Blackrock to keep the pace with City of Derry, who have scorched ahead with two high scoring wins so far. The weekend's fare at Judges Road was not unduly difficult against Portadown, the visitors going down 35-16.

Derry held an 18-10 lead at the break. Four players, two from each side, were sin-binned but Derry still managed to run in four tries, one of them a penalty try, to secure the additional bonus point.

Galwegians travelled to Gibson Park where they were met with robust resistance from home side Malone. None-the-less, the Galway side emerged 16-13 ahead with Mat Mostyn in on the try scoring and Eric Elwood also adding from the boot.

At Donnybrook, Bective Rangers held off a late surge from Greystones to register their first win after two outings. Bective out-half Craig Pierce kicked two penalties and a conversion, with right-wing Darragh Kearney running in their only try. Fullback Brian Cunningham also added a drop goal.

Greystones stung Bective with two tries from Gareth Keogh and Dan McGettigan but they let the game slip with four penalties and a conversion going amiss.

At Deramore Park, Belfast Harlequins started their season strongly with a 19-3 win over Sunday's Well while Wanderers went down in their match after a big finish from Old Crescent.

Wanderers, moved 19-16 ahead in the second period. However Crescent managed a late surge to break the Wanderers defence on two occasions with David Bowles and Craig Doyle each running in vital tries.