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Back-To-Back Wins For Battling ‘Belvo

Back-To-Back Wins For Battling ‘Belvo

Old Belvedere made it two wins on the bounce under new player-coach Andy Dunne with a determined display at home to fellow strugglers Shannon.

Saturday’s bonus point win has moved ‘Belvo to within one point of Blackrock College and Shannon (both 22 points) in a fascinating relegation battle, with two rounds remaining in Division 1A.

The team that finishes bottom of the table will be automatically relegated, with the second-from-bottom side facing a relegation play-off against the runners-up in Division 1B.

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Shannon fell foul of referee Mark Patton early on at Anglesea Road and a ninth minute penalty from young winger Josh Glynn got the hosts off the mark.

Leinster’s Leo Auva’a powered forward from a scrum on the right and space was created for the ever dangerous Daniel Riordan to make it over out wide.

Glynn missed the conversion and Shannon out-half Tadhg Bennett replied three minutes later, popping over his first penalty after good work from young centre Aaron Spring.

Glynn cancelled out those three points with his second successful penalty at the midpoint of the half, before both kickers sent efforts wide of the target.

A well-struck penalty from Bennett closed the gap to 11-6 approaching half-time, but Shannon blundered at the restart and ‘Belvo coasted in for a soft try scored by current Ireland Under-20 international Jack Conan.

Although the conversion was missed, Shannon suffered a further setback when their player-coach Stephen Keogh was forced off with a knock shortly after his introduction.

16-6 down at the break, the Limerick men lost lock Fergal Walsh to a yellow card and Glynn mopped up with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Second row Richie Leyden broke through for another 'Belvo try in the 69th minute, with a dummy giving him enough space to crash over and Aidan Wynne converted.

Three minutes later, a missed touch kick from Bennett was punished with ‘Belvo’s bonus point try. Enthusiastic replacement David Mongan showed a clean pair of heels to the cover to score in the corner.

Shannon continued to fluff their lines, lacking the invention and composure to finish off some threatening attacks until the last minute when a recovered Keogh burst clean through from 40 metres to score a consolation try.

Bennett converted to reduce the arrears to 15 points, but Old Belvedere were already home and hosed and looking to their final two games against Lansdowne and Cork Constitution.

Referee: Mark Patton (IRFU)