‘Gannon Win Ulster Derby

…Former Ireland Under-21 captain Gareth Steenson lines up a penalty kick…

Four penalties from the boot of fly half Gareth Steenson, allied to a Tyrone Howe try, helped Dungannon beat Belfast Harlequins in Saturday’s Division One derby clash at Stevenson Park.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, January 21

DUNGANNON 17 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 6, Stevenson Park

Scorers: Dungannon: Try: Tyrone Howe; Pens: Gareth Steenson 4

Harlequins: Pens: Michael Glancy, Jonny McClaughlin

A 48th-minute try from Ulster winger Tyrone Howe helped Dungannon beat Belfast Harlequins in their Ulster derby meeting at Stevenson Park.

Howe crossed in the right corner after centre Andy Kirkpatrick’s hack downfield had seen the ‘Quins defence scattered – the score set up ‘Gannon’s fourth win in five league meetings with the Belfast side since 2000.

Michael Glancy had kicked ‘Quins in front but two penalties from young number 10 Gareth Steenson pushed the home side 6-3 in front.

Steenson, who kicked 12 points in all, furthered the ‘Gannon lead before Jonny McClaughlin struck a late penalty for ‘Quins.

Dungannon coach Jeremy Davidson said afterwards: “The boys really did turn up today and it is a credit to them all that they were able to turn it around so quickly after a very disappointing performance at UCD last week.

“They are a great bunch of guys, but I think whenever the players come down here they have to concentrate on club rugby and play for their clubs. If they do, it is a big factor in winning.”

BALLYMENA 14 UCD 10, Eaton Park

Scorers: Ballymena: Try: Scott Young; Pens: Dirkie Strydom 3

UCD: Try: Stephen Grissing; Con: Eoghan Hickey; Pen: Hickey

Ballymena came from behind at Eaton Park to grab a valuable win in their quest to stave off their relegation worries.

The fourth-from-bottom Braidmen closed the gap on the sides above them as a brace of second half penalties from full-back Dirkie Strydom saw them edge past the students.

Ballymena winger Scott Young cancelled an early try from UCD’s Stephen Grissing with a try of his own, but an Eoghan Hickey penalty helped the visitors into a 10-8 interval lead.

The Braidmen, with lock Henry Head in outstanding form, dominated possession in the second half and Strydom did the rest, kicking two second half penalties.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 23 GALWEGIANS 26, College Park

Scorers: Dublin Uni: Tries: Martin Garvey, Barry Kinsella, Brian Hastings; Con: Johnny Watt; Pens: Watt 2

Galwegians: Tries: Ambrose Conboy 2, Peter Durkin, Peter Phelan; Cons: Brendan Bartley 3

Galwegians made it two wins on the trot as they squeezed past relegation rivals Dublin University at College Park.

‘Wegians ended the game with 13 men as both prop Denis O’Brien and flanker Liam Casserly were sent to the sin-bin but the visitors held on thanks to the buffer that captain Ambrose Conboy’s second try on 65 minutes provided.

Number 8 Conboy, Ireland Under-21 international Peter Durkin, who lined out at fly half, and replacement winger Peter Phelan crossed for tries in a first half that ended 19-13 in ‘Wegians’ favour.

Durkin’s score was an impish one, midway through the half. He dummied and darted over from close range for full-back Brendan Bartley to convert and put the hosts 14-8 up.

Trinity though, mustered tries from centre Barry Kinsella and lock Martin Garvey, for the third consecutive game, and centre Brian Hastings in the opening half.

A converted try from centre Brian Hastings, allied to a Johnny Watt penalty, sent the students in front at 23-19, but Conboy, scoring his third try in two games, had the deciding say just past the hour mark.

‘Wegians are now eight points clear of second-from-bottom Trinity in the Division One standings.

BUCCANEERS 39 COUNTY CARLOW 13, Dubarry Park

Scorers: Buccs: Tries: Adrian Hanley 2, Conor O’Loughlin, Conor Lavelle, Tommy Cregan; Cons: Cregan 4; Pens: Cregan 2

Carlow: Tries: Chay Raui 2; Pen: Greg Jacob

Buccaneers earned their first win of 2006 as they hit bottom side County Carlow for five tries at Oak Park.

The Pirates ended their run of three straight defeats and looked good value for the victory as they ended the first half 20-8 in front. Conor O’Loughlin, who was playing on the left with Ireland Sevens international Mark Bruce back at scrum half, and Tommy Cregan crossed for tries with full-back Cregan also landing two penalties.

Kiwi fly half Chay Raui grabbed a try in either half to keep Carlow in touch – centre Greg Jacob also kicked a 26th-minute penalty – but second half tries for Buccs from Conor Lavelle and stand-in captain Adrian Hanley (2) ended the game as a contest.

Hanley’s first came from a forward rumble after a neat lineout take by Brian Buckley, and the big flanker’s second right on 80 minutes really emphasised the Pirates’ pack dominance. Buccs shoved the visitors’ off their own scrum ball and drove them back to secure possession for a fifth try.

Buccs were boosted by an 80-minute cameo by experienced Connacht centre Darren Yapp.