Dublin University showed that they are genuine promotion contenders by stunning Division 1B leaders Galwegians into submission at College Park this afternoon.
Dublin University showed that they are genuine promotion contenders by stunning Division 1B leaders Galwegians into submission at College Park this afternoon.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B RESULTS
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: UPDATED TABLES
Dublin University produced their best performance of the season to date, running in five tries in a 35-5 demolition job of Matt Brown's table toppers who leaked 22 unanswered points in the second half.
It was a bad day at the office for Galwegians who were well off the pace, allowing the students to dictate as they extended their winning streak in the division to seven matches - six wins and a draw.
Trinity set the tone with German underage international Sebastian Fromm crossing in the corner for a fifth minute try. Tighthead prop Tom Collis plunged over for a second unconverted effort from a maul, seven minutes later.
Galwegians failed to convert long bouts of possession and pressure into points. There were a couple of missed penalty opportunities, but they finally got some reward in the 37th minute when number 8 Anthony Ryan touched down from a powerful forward drive.
However, Trinity hit back with a 30-metre penalty from Jack McDermott just before half-time, and it took a last-ditch tackle from Galwegians full-back John Cleary (pictured above) to keep the hosts at bay early in the second period.
Out-half McDermott missed a 40-metre penalty but he was next over the try-line, picking a very good line to carve open the Galwegians defence and dot down in the corner.
The visitors' error count continued to increase as a missed tackle allowed lock Jack Burke through for Trinity's bonus point score, which was converted by McDermott.
Winger Conor Kearns added his fifth try of the season from a quick turnover shortly afterwards, and a final penalty right on full-time rubbed salt into Galwegians' wounds.
The result cuts 'Wegians' lead at the summit to five points, while fourth-placed Trinity are now only nine points off top spot ahead of the Christmas break.
Second-placed Ballymena should be closer to the league leaders but they were held to a 13-13 draw by Corinthians in Galway today.
It was very much a game of two halves at Corinthian Park where Andy Graham's Braidmen opened up a 13-0 lead thanks to tries from lock Connor Smyth (pictured below) and winger Jordan Foster.
But Corinthians mounted a spirited comeback after the break with centre Dwayne Corcoran crossing for a try and out-half Conor Murphy kicking eight points, earning a share of the spoils for Pat Cunningham's sixth-placed team.
Bottom side Belfast Harlequins revived their fortunes with a runaway 38-7 victory over UL Bohemians at Deramore Park, with Ulster duo Michael Heaney and Rory Scholes both touching down.
'Quins put an end to their four-match losing streak, scoring five tries in all as they paid a fitting tribute to former player Fintan Hillyard who sadly passed away last Tuesday following a brave battle with cancer.
A minute's silence was held in Hillyard's honour, and Adam Larkin's men burst out of the traps to produce a dominant first half display. They scored three tries by the interval to lead 26-7, and Heaney and Scholes joined captain Danny Annett and two-try winger David McMaster (pictured below) in crossing the whitewash.
Scrum half Heaney finished with a 16-point haul, kicking three penalties and a conversion, as 'Quins closed within two points of Shannon (ninth) and Malone (eighth) at the foot of the table.
In the evening kick-off at Dubarry Park, Buccaneers swept Malone aside for a 32-14 bonus point win which keeps them in touch with the top four.
Connacht flanker Mata Fifita, who recently returned from a heel injury, scored one of Buccs' four tries with his back row colleague Kolo Kiripati bagging a brace and out-half Callum Boland also touching down. Boland had a rewarding night with the boot, landing three conversions and two penalties to complete a handsome 17-point tally.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B RESULTS
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: UPDATED TABLES
Dublin University produced their best performance of the season to date, running in five tries in a 35-5 demolition job of Matt Brown's table toppers who leaked 22 unanswered points in the second half.
It was a bad day at the office for Galwegians who were well off the pace, allowing the students to dictate as they extended their winning streak in the division to seven matches - six wins and a draw.
Trinity set the tone with German underage international Sebastian Fromm crossing in the corner for a fifth minute try. Tighthead prop Tom Collis plunged over for a second unconverted effort from a maul, seven minutes later.
Galwegians failed to convert long bouts of possession and pressure into points. There were a couple of missed penalty opportunities, but they finally got some reward in the 37th minute when number 8 Anthony Ryan touched down from a powerful forward drive.
However, Trinity hit back with a 30-metre penalty from Jack McDermott just before half-time, and it took a last-ditch tackle from Galwegians full-back John Cleary (pictured above) to keep the hosts at bay early in the second period.
Out-half McDermott missed a 40-metre penalty but he was next over the try-line, picking a very good line to carve open the Galwegians defence and dot down in the corner.
The visitors' error count continued to increase as a missed tackle allowed lock Jack Burke through for Trinity's bonus point score, which was converted by McDermott.
Winger Conor Kearns added his fifth try of the season from a quick turnover shortly afterwards, and a final penalty right on full-time rubbed salt into Galwegians' wounds.
The result cuts 'Wegians' lead at the summit to five points, while fourth-placed Trinity are now only nine points off top spot ahead of the Christmas break.
Second-placed Ballymena should be closer to the league leaders but they were held to a 13-13 draw by Corinthians in Galway today.
It was very much a game of two halves at Corinthian Park where Andy Graham's Braidmen opened up a 13-0 lead thanks to tries from lock Connor Smyth (pictured below) and winger Jordan Foster.
But Corinthians mounted a spirited comeback after the break with centre Dwayne Corcoran crossing for a try and out-half Conor Murphy kicking eight points, earning a share of the spoils for Pat Cunningham's sixth-placed team.
Bottom side Belfast Harlequins revived their fortunes with a runaway 38-7 victory over UL Bohemians at Deramore Park, with Ulster duo Michael Heaney and Rory Scholes both touching down.
'Quins put an end to their four-match losing streak, scoring five tries in all as they paid a fitting tribute to former player Fintan Hillyard who sadly passed away last Tuesday following a brave battle with cancer.
A minute's silence was held in Hillyard's honour, and Adam Larkin's men burst out of the traps to produce a dominant first half display. They scored three tries by the interval to lead 26-7, and Heaney and Scholes joined captain Danny Annett and two-try winger David McMaster (pictured below) in crossing the whitewash.
Scrum half Heaney finished with a 16-point haul, kicking three penalties and a conversion, as 'Quins closed within two points of Shannon (ninth) and Malone (eighth) at the foot of the table.
In the evening kick-off at Dubarry Park, Buccaneers swept Malone aside for a 32-14 bonus point win which keeps them in touch with the top four.
Connacht flanker Mata Fifita, who recently returned from a heel injury, scored one of Buccs' four tries with his back row colleague Kolo Kiripati bagging a brace and out-half Callum Boland also touching down. Boland had a rewarding night with the boot, landing three conversions and two penalties to complete a handsome 17-point tally.