Malone win the hard way

Malone are doing things the hard way in Division Two

Malone are doing things the hard way in Division Two. They just about staved off a second-half rally from Greystones at Dr Hickey Park.

All the damage was done in the first quarter when Malone caught the home side cold with a three-try salvo inflicted by second row forwards Murtagh Rea and John Gregg and winger Scott Carroll. The radar accuracy of Owen Costigan's kicking spared the Wicklow club's blushes. So much so that a late try from replacement Kent Ashmore, inevitably converted by Costigan, left a mere three points in it at the end.

European student championship finalists University College Cork took a point away from Old Crescent. But it could have been even better. Out-half Stephen Tuohy dropped a fourth-minute injury-time goal to tie the game.

It was an afternoon of draws in this division. Old Wesley were denied victory at Donnybrook by a late try from Portadown prop Richie Weir that enabled Ricky McIlmoyle to kick the conversion form under the posts.

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At Musgrave Park, Dolphin and DLSP shared the points in a low-scoring affair. Two John O'Mahony penalties in the last 18 minutes were enough to erase DLSP's 6-0 lead after Dave O'Riordan had rewarded his side's domination.

Andy Ward's ommission from the Ballynahinch side to play Bective Rangers had a major influence on proceedings at Ballymacarn Park. First-half tries from number eight Paul Hatton and wing Jimmy Hardy were added to by Warren Johnston's two penalties and conversion.

Donal Martin kicked Old Belvedere to a 22-17 win at Anglesea Road with three penalties and a conversion of David Shanley's late first-half try to give the home side the edge. Meanwhile Skerries went under to City of Derry 18-8 at Holmpatrick.