Old Crescent top the table

Blackrock must be shifting in their seats trying to hold on to some sort of momentum while their provincial players compete for Leinster in the European Cup. With just two matches completed in a competition which began at the end of November 1999, the Leinster Senior Cup winners and promotional candidates again watched another weekend go by as Division Two progressed without them.

Once again, however, City of Derry fell leaving Old Crescent the opportunity to go to the top of the table as outright leaders after a 19-9 win over mid-table Dolphin.

Old Crescent earned their top place after a kicking match at Rosbrien between fullback Brian Begley and Dolphin out-half John O'Mahony. Begley ended with four penalties and a conversion with Glen Gelderbloom claiming the match winning try five minutes from the end of the match. O'Mahony kicked three penalties for Dolphin's nine points.

Derry's slip up to Sunday's Well on Saturday, having lost to Old Crescent last week, allowed Old Belvedere settle into third place after the Dublin side's comprehensive 39-9 rout of struggling Greystones.

Greystone's inability to convert reasonable possession into scores will continue to haunt them as they remain glued to the bottom of the table.

Sunday's Well must also be thinking about promotion after beating Ulster league and Cup holders Derry 18-17.

UCC and Portadown fought a nervous battle at the Mardyke in an effort by both sides to raise themselves from the danger zone, one the Ulster visitors won 21-26 with Ben Matthews kicking four penalties.

At Lansdowne Road Wanderers finally put an end to their indifferent form with a welcome 23-7 win over Malone.