RARELY will you see the six clubs who started the day in the top half of the table finish it in exactly the same positions, but Saturday produced such a deadlock.
This didn't suit UCC too well, for, having run up 62 points against Waterpark, they might have hoped to have broken into the top six at the end of the day. Three tries from the outstanding Dominic Crotty proved the highlight of a fine college performance, and they will need him in top form again next week for the trip to UCD. With Bohemians and Skerries meeting in Limerick - both clubs are immediately above UCC - the students are still in with a chance.
The match of the day, however brought together Monkstown and City of Derry at Sydney Parade. The home side had to rely on a late dropped goal from outside half Andrew McMaster to salvage a draw, having spent most of the second half looking for the win. An excellent penalty from Ian McGregor, early in the second half, put Derry 6-3 ahead, but after that they spent most of their time defending.
That was much the same experience for Galwegians, who lost at home by 20-0 to DLSP, while things were a lot closer between Bohemians and UCD at Thomond Park. The home side trailed 11-8 midway through the second half before John Downey's second try gave then a two point advantage. A late penalty from Ollie Moran eased them home, though Skerries had more room to spare after another effective away performance - this time against Bangor.
Highfield suffered their second defeat in a row when Buccaneers beat them 26-16, and in the fourth division Trinity had to endure a similar experience. Colm Morgan kicked a penalty early in the second half to draw them level at 3-3 against Collegians but a dropped goal from John Gilmartin was followed by two Aaron Torrens penalties to keep Collegians in second place.
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