AIB League: Division 2 Round-Up
Bruff’s promotion-clinching win over Malone was overshadowed by a stunning result down the road in Rosbrien as Old Crescent secured their Division 2 status by ending Lansdowne’s 13-match winning run.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 2 RESULTS: Saturday, April 3
Bruff 28 Malone 27, Kilballyowen Park
Corinthians 22 Belfast Harlequins 11, Corinthian Park
Old Crescent 14 Lansdowne 12, Rosbrien
Terenure College 36 UCD 19, Lakelands Park
Bruff brilliantly won promotion to AIB League Division 1B in the most dramatic manner at Kilballyowen Park when a penalty with the last kick of the game gave them a 28-27 win over Malone.
Team captain Brian Cahill held his nerve to land the kick after Malone had moved ahead, eight minutes from the end, courtesy of a Mark Hill try and a Josh Pentland conversion. The sides had been level at 6-6, 13-13 and 20-20.
27-20 down, Bruff notched a try through Gearoid Ryan with four minutes remaining and when Cahill missed the conversion, a home defeat looked likely.
But, with three minutes of injury-time played, Bruff won a penalty which Cahill slotted over to spark wild celebrations for the County Limerick club who were promoted from Division 3 in 2008.
It seems a short six years since Bruff won the Round Robin series at the third time of asking in 2004.
Meanwhile, Lansdowne’s reign as the only club boasting a 100% record in this season’s AIB League – 13 straight wins – was brought to an end by relegation-threatened Old Crescent.
Rosbrien was rocking to the home side’s beat as veteran prop James Cullinane scored a try and Brian O’Shea contributing three penalties.
The win has pushed Crescent six points clear of the relegation zone, ahead of the final round of matches. It means that Cork side Highfield have been relegated alongside Greystones.
Full round-up to follow…