DUNGANNON have more or less cemented their position in Division One following their comprehensive success over struggling Instonians at Shane Park on Saturday.

Languishing at the bottom of the table, Instonians are staring relegation in the face after a disappointing campaign in which sustained effort and commitment has brought little or no reward.

"Dungannon set out their stall early with a try from left winger, Peter Sandford, which Keith McGarry converted. But Instonians displayed the courage and grit that has been the hallmark of their season when they bounced back seven minutes later with a Jonathan Peak try which Simon Bond converted. And the basement side went ahead shortly before the interval with a fine Bond penalty but their advantage was shortlived. McGarry swept over a penalty just on half time to leave the match deadlocked at 10-10.

With their packs scrummaging strongly and Hastings and Patterson working particularly hard in the back row, Dungannon took a firmer grip on the action and in the 53rd minute they went in front again with another McGarry penalty.

It was in the 57th minute that Dungannon effectively sealed the game when, after a sustained bout of pressure, they were awarded a penalty try by referee, Brian Stirling, to which McGarry added the points.

It proved a mortal blow to Instonians morale and although they battled courageously, they were unable to pierce the Dungannon midfield cover.

Instead, it was Dungannon who finished on a high note when scrum half, Stephen Bell, squeezed in for his team's third try to put a coating of gloss on what was a very competent performance.