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Ross Byrne and Kevin Barden of Old Belvedere. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
AIL round-up

Big wins for UCD and Clontarf while Ulster Bank League's bottom club finally win a game

Despite the weather, there was plenty of action around the country.

UCD AND CLONTARF have created further daylight between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A after a disrupted day of fixtures.

With two games falling victim to the weather, both sides recorded comfortable victories on Saturday to pull further clear at the summit.

UCD will sit on top of the table over the Christmas break after edging past Old Belvedere at the Belfield Bowl thanks to an impressive first-half display.

With the wind at their backs, the students stormed into a 15-0 lead at the break and although ‘Belvo bounced back with two late tries, UCD eased to another win – their sixth of the campaign.

The sides will meet again in the Leinster Senior League Cup final in two weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, Clontarf scored five tries in their 39-25 defeat of Garryowen at Castle Avenue as they remain level on points with UCD.

There is an eight-point gap between the top two and ‘Belvo after Clontarf picked up their second try-scoring bonus point of the campaign.

The new all-weather pitch at Castle Avenue served its purpose and the hosts were in dominant form as they helped themselves to five points.

Leinster winger Mick McGrath ran in a hat-trick of tries while Conor O’Brien and Dermot O’Meara also touched down.

In Division 1A’s other game, Ballynahinch secured their first win of the season with a hard-fought 25-13 victory over Lansdowne at Ballymacarn Park.

The division’s bottom side gave themselves a timely boost after eight successive defeats but they remain rooted to the foot of the table heading into the festive break.

In Division 1B, there were wins for St Mary’s College, Dublin University, Ballymena and UL Bohemians while the clash between Dolphin and Blackrock was postponed.

Saturday’s Ulster Bank League results:

Division 1A

  • Ballynahinch 25-13 Lansdowne
  • Clontarf 39-25 Garryowen
  • Cork Con p-p Terenure
  • UCD 20-12 Old Belvedere
  • Young Munster p-p Galwegians

Division 1B

  • UL Bohemian 20-13 Buccaneers
  • Belfast Harlequins 16-32 St Mary’s College
  • Dolphin p-p Blackrock College
  • Dublin University 36-11 Shannon
  • Old Wesley 15-21 Ballymena

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