Galwegians and Buccaneers kept their title chances intact over the weekend with UCC slipping further away from the leading pack. At the bottom Monkstown and Skerries again failed to lift themselves from the danger zone with Skerries also surrendering their unbeaten home record to the mighty Galwegians.
Eric Elwood's move from Lansdowne to Galway is looking more and more like the correct career choice. As the Connacht side muscle their way through Division Two and Lansdowne struggle to keep the pace in Division One, the possibility is that Galwegians and Lansdowne could pass each other by going in different directions at the end of the year.
As usual Elwood was a central figure for Galwegians and once again added points to keep him at the top of the highest points tally list. A penalty and two conversions in their 11-22 win over Skerries puts Elwood on 85 points from eight games played.
For their part Skerries three-year home record has been brought to an end by clearly the strongest side in the division.
But UCC's defeat by Old Wesley is more surprising although the game was tougher than the 34-8 scoreline suggests. It also keeps Old Wesley comfortably away from the relegation zone. Two first half tries from Robert Casey, a haul of 14 points from the boot from Simon Mitchell and a try from Colin Younger out pointed the Cork students and takes the Dublin side into the top four.
At Sydney Parade the home Monkstown side would have had expectations that visitors Buccaneers were not going to let their title hopes flouder. Front eight power proved to be the platform for the Buccaneers 20-31 victory, with second row Brian Rigney grabbing two for himself.
Sunday's Well travelled to Belfast and whole heartedly took the game to Malone at Gibson park. A wonderful 70 metre solo effort from John O'Neil in the first half inspired the Cork side to a 17-34 win, one that keeps them in touch with both Buccaneers and Galwegians in third place at the top of the table.
Two penalties from Mark Wyse was not enough for Ciaran Fitzgerald's crew at Dr Hickey Park where Bective beat Greystones 613. It was a critical two points as both sides are desperately treading water. DLSP had a valuable two point win over Instonians while Wanderers went one further by squeezing through against City Of Derry with just one point to spare at rugby HQ. A strong second half performance ensured a 19-18 win and a firmer foothold in mid-table for Wanderers.
