A loud warning was sent out to the rest of the division at Kilternan yesterday as DLSP showed they are contenders for promotion.

Indeed, this victory was fully appreciated by a Bective side who seemed to stand back and admire their opponents' vigour for long periods.

The Bective line was crossed six times, first by Ciaran O'Molloy who crashed over in the opening minutes.

Bective's response throughout was seven penalties converted by centre Warren Johnston.

The pace and invention of a rampant DLSP back-line enabled them to break tackles, pass well and score tries, including one each from John Corr and Mark Cunningham in the first half.

Beginning the second period with a 22-15 lead, DLSP showed their prowess with two more tries in the first five minutes. A sweeping interchange of passes finished in the hands of John Corr for his second was followed by a crashing break touchdown by Bruce Wood.

Full back Shane Johnston ended the scoring with a brilliant solo effort.

Bective tried to rally through out-half Cunningham and flanker Paul O'Conner, but got little change from a tight defence.

Da La Salle Palmerstown: S Stephens; J Corr, N O'Riordan, M Cunningham, E Devitt; D O'Riordan, B Hogan; K Condren, S Sarsfield, S Cullen, K Wheelock (capt), P McDonnell, B Wood, A Toher, P Werahiko. Replacements: N Byrne, M McGuinness, D McCabe, P Sheridan, C O'Molloy.

Bective Rangers: B Guerin; A Consodine, T Quinlan, W Johnston, J Hardy; B Cunningham; M Edwards; P Kelly, J Carville, J Hannon, J Bolger, J Oliver, C Moore, P O'Conner, S Montgomery (capt). Replacements: N Power, J O'Donovan, J Sweeney, S Chandler, B Whelan, G Kennedy.

Referee: K Spence (URS).