Lansdowne extended their lead at the top of Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League to seven points following a hard-earned 27-25 away victory over Dolphin at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
They could thank the goalkicking of Craig Ronaldson. The outhalf landed five penalties and also converted one of Lansdowne’s two tries from Ross McCarron and Kyle Tonetti.Dolphin establishing a 17-15 interval lead with tries from James Kiernan and Harry Fleming, both of which were converted by Barry Keeshan, who also added a penalty. But Lansdowne were to move clear in the second half with four penalties from Ronaldson. Dolphin did manage a late rally, Keeshan added a penalty but he then missed an opportunity to level matters when he failed to convert a try in the dying minutes from James Cronin.
Second placed Garryowen went down to their second straight defeat, losing 21-18 at home to Cork Constitution. Outhalf Johnny Holland was Cork Con’s hero, kicking seven penalties.
Cork Con stay in fourth spot, trailing third-placed Young Munster on points difference. Young Munster maintained their challenge with a dramatic 10-8 win over Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road. Young Munster trailed 8-3 until injury time. But referee Paul Haycock then awarded them a penalty try following a collapsed scrum.
In Division 1B, second placed Dublin University had a 24-16 home win over Dungannon. UCD are third following an impressive 26-3 bonus points away win against second from bottom Bruff.
