Galwegians - 29 UL Bohemians - 22 Another glorious defeat for UL Bohemians. This year's new Division One entrants once again rattled and shook their more illustrious opponents to the end, only to reap a third successive bonus point from a third disappointing loss.

On paper it is as much as they could have expected - after all they were up against a Galwegians side boasting nine contracted players. But on the field UL Bohemians, after suffering first-half stage fright, overcame a 22-3 deficit to have Galwegians clinging on to victory at Crowley Park on Saturday.

"We have the potential to make the breakthrough. We have proved we can frighten and upset teams, but we cannot keep having these glorious defeats," says UL Bohemians coach Mike Tewkesbury.

"We simply gave Galwegians too much respect in the first half and a look at their programme before the game was worth at least 10 points to them."

With all contracted players on board, except the injured Marnus Uijs and Michael Swift, Galwegians certainly eased into a 22-3 lead. But coach Kevin Dineen will not be so happy with a second half in which Galwegians lost possession, usually to penalties, every time they escaped from their own half. Nor can he be confident heading to Belfast for their next clash without their provincial players.

"At this stage we are delighted to have 10 points from three games. This time last year we had suffered three losses. We head to Belfast with a young team that has nothing to lose."

Galwegians hooker Jerry Flannery may not be one of Dineen's fledgling fighters, but he has certainly made an impression since joining the club last season. Challenging injured clubmate Marnus Uijs for the Connacht top spot, Flannery tormented Bohemians, ransacking rucks, running like a winger, and tackling like a demon.

The fiery hooker's first try after three minutes came from a backline move which he finished from the wing, while his second after 27 minutes followed a 22-metres drive to the line after Eric Peters's line-out catch.

Bohemians' only response in that first half was a penalty from outhalf Ian Costello and a late drop goal, while Galwegians wing John Cleary did well from 20 metres out to finish off a swinging backline move that had started from Ger Brady's right wing.

With a 22-6 lead, three comfortable tries, domination in the set-piece, and no hint of a Bohemians challenge, Galwegians' only real ambition was a fourth try and bonus, which came courtesy of Flannery after 54 minutes in the home side's first foray into their opponents' 22.

UL Bohemians had reduced the deficit at that stage to 29-14 with a deserved try from centre Nick Lutman and a Costello penalty, but there still seemed little chance of a shock defeat for the home side.

Yet for the next 20 minutes Bohemians had Galwegians defending from all angles as they spurned successive penalty kicks at goal to attack the home side's line. While the forwards did their work as a unit, centres Nick Lutman, Coleman Finn and wing Keith Matthews continued to punch holes in the Galwegians cover until replacement wing Tommy Ellard eventually raced in for a try after 60 minutes.

Bohemians had ample opportunities but Galwegians' well-organised cover and indiscipline from Bohemians in their frustration relieved the pressure until the losers were forced to kick an 80th-minute penalty to secure something for their efforts.

SCORING SEQUENCE

3 mins: Flannery try 5-0

7 mins: Costello penalty 5-3

27 mins: Flannery try, Elwood con 12-3

34 mins: Cleary try, Elwood con 19-3

43 mins: Elwood penalty 22-3

45 mins: Costello drop goal 22-6

Half-time: Galwegians 22, UL Bohemians 6

46 mins: Costello penalty 22-9

51 mins: Lutman try 22-14

54 mins: Flannery try, Elwood con 29-14

60 mins: Ellard try 29-19

80 mins: Costello penalty 29-22

GALWEGIANS: W Ruane; G Brady, G Duffy, M McPhail, J Cleary; E Elwood, A Page; D McFarland, J Flannery, P Bracken, D Browne, C Murphy, B Gavin (capt), J O'Connor, E Peters. Replacement: J Muldoon for Peters (63 mins).

UL BOHEMIANS: C Gilligan; B Tuohy, N Lutman, C Finn, K Matthews; I Costello, D Malone; M harty, G Ryan, J Danagher, B Dineen, M Porter, C Fitzgerald, J O'Neill, A Hartigan. Replacements: D O'Connell for Dineen (40 mins), P Treacy for Tuohy (45 mins), T Ellard for Matthews (55 mins).