Old Crescent are promoted

AFTER last week's hiccup in Greystones, Old Crescent got straight back to the business of promotion on Saturday, and duly confirmed their place in the first division next season. Clontarf were the ones on the wrong end of a hiding at Rosbrien, where Brian Begley converted all four tries. Dungannon also reasserted themselves having dropped another point last week, beating Wanderers at Stevenson Park with 27 points to spare.

That result keeps them on track, while Terenure and Greystones are now tied in third place after the latter had a crucial away win at Malone. Greystones were a point up at the break only for Bill Harbinson to revive Malone with a try early in the second half. A Colin Wilkinson penalty put them 16-9 ahead, but in the last 10 minutes Richie Murphy kicked a penalty and then converted Liam Murphy's late try for both points. The meeting of Terenure and Greystones in a fortnight will finally settle the promotion issue.

Despite winning against Bective at Donnybrook. promotion is off the Sunday's Well agenda, though they will be well pleased with John O'Neill, who popped up two minutes from time to secure the win. Their neighbours Dolphin also experienced some good fortune for a change, as they ran up 35 points against North, who are now the only team in the division without a win.

In Division Two, Monkstown continue at the top, while City of Derry have now edged Highfield out of second place. Monkstown again had Andrew McMaster to thank for the bulk of their scoring; he kicked 11 points to add to Conor Heaney's try as they just about beat Highfield, who will now be grateful that the promotion list has been extended to six clubs.

An excellent win at Belfield now sees Skerries back in that group, but UCC are under pressure again having lost in Derry. With Steve Smyth and Ian Orr again on the scoresheet the Ulster club are confident of going up as champions. A visit to Sydney Parade this week will determine that one.

In Division Four there was no change at the top either, though Portadown had to work hard for both points against Queen's. They were limited to just two tries - from Stuart Hooks and Ernie Liggett - while Trinity slipped back a place because of the postponement of their tie with Corinthians.