Shannon dug deep to ensure a 15-26 win over Blarkock at Sradbrook this afternoon while rivals Cork Constitution trounced Terenure by a 62-12 margin at Temple Hill.
In Shannon's case it was important they won to give themselves a chance of making into the play-offs. Today's victory, their fourth in five starts, keeps them in fourth place, narrowly ahead of Garryowen on scoring difference.
Fionn Carr landed four penalties to give Blackrock a 12-10 lead at the interval but Pat O'Connor's first half try kept the visitors in touch before seizing the intiative in the second period.
Andrew Thompson kicked three further penalties before full-back Andrew Finn scored in injury-time.
Results
Ballymena 12-20 Belfast Harlequins
Blackrock 15-26 Shannon
Buccaneers 16-37 UCD
Clontarf 10-12 Garryowen
Cork Con 62-12 Terenure
Dungannon 17-17 St Mary's
Lansdowne 23-17 Dolphin
UL Bohemian 29-7 Galwegians