Belvedere Blitz Shannon For First League Win
Old Belvedere secured their first league win at the fourth attempt as they beat fellow strugglers Shannon at Anglesea Road on Saturday.
The Dubliners ran riot in the end, their improving scrum helping them earn two penalty tries and Jack Conan, Eddie Devitt (2), John Kennedy and captain Daniel Riordan all touched down.
Bottom side Shannon were already 19-3 behind at the break, a solitary penalty from out-half Rob Guerin being their only score.
Old Belvedere had the lion's share of the possession early on but had to be patient against a Shannon side that fought ferociously at the breakdown and had a decent platform from their scrums.
But Ireland Under-20 international Conan and centre Kennedy crossed in the opening 22 minutes to move ‘Belvo 12-0 ahead, before Guerin landed his kick.
'Belvo built through the phases before flanker Conan popped up in midfield to score a try that had been in the offing for a number of minutes.
Steve Crosbie landed the conversion and Shannon, despite some strong carries from the excellent James Murphy and Emmet McLoughlin, could not unlock a well-organised 'Belvo defence.
Kennedy got over in the corner for his try as Shannon were left to rue some poor tackling. They allowed the ever dangerous Riordan to build momentum on a smashing run from deep and 'Belvo were clinical after that.
Conan was yellow carded before the break as Shannon surged forward through Willie O'Connor and McLoughlin again, but Andy Dunne’s men kept their foot on the gas and two tries from Devitt, the second on the hour mark, confirmed their bonus point.
Devitt pounced for his first in the 32nd minute as Shannon's poor tackling was exposed again. It was a huge setback for the Limerick side who missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time through Guerin.
The Shannon out-half was back on target three minutes into the second period and suddenly the visitors were back in it.
They worked a very good maul from a lineout having kicked a penalty to the corner, and number 8 John Shine muscled in to score his second try of the league run.
But 'Belvo broke Shannon hearts with Devitt's second try as a cross-field kick bounced kindly for the winger to finish off in the corner. Crosbie converted for a 26-13 scoreline.
There was no way back for a Shannon team that ran out of steam in the closing stages. Those penalty tries and a deserved score for Riordan, who swooped on a clever chip through, saw the margin widened to a flattering 32 points.
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)