AIB League: Division Three Round-Up

…The silverware on offer in Division Three…

Division Three leaders Ballynahinch lost for the first time this season as two-try Instonians nabbed a 20-14 win at Shaw’s Bridge on Saturday.

Former Ireland out-half Niall Malone and prop Chris Schofield both touched down for Inst. Malone also landed a drop goal while Ulster Academy member Owen McMurray kicked two conversions and a penalty to complete the home side’s haul.

Flanker Jonny Graham scored ‘Hinch’s only try in the top-of-the-table clash. The County Down side’s lead at the summit has been cut to two points, but they do have a game in hand.

Banbridge’s Gareth Martin grabbed his seventh try of the league campaign, but could not stop Wanderers from spoiling Bann’s day as they secured the spoils at Rifle Park, winning 18-14.

Right winger David Fitzgerald was the Dubliners’ hero as he scored a try, a conversion and a penalty. Substitute John Gibson and out-half Billy Tracey chipped in with a try and a penalty respectively.

Rob Burke scored Connemara’s only try as they went down 42-5 at home to Queen’s University. The Belfast students went from tenth to eighth in the standings as they ran in six tries, which were all converted by Mark Robinson, at Monastery Field.

Ian Whitten, who played for Ireland at last year’s Under-19 World Cup, and Dundonald native Andrew McNiece both bagged a brace of tries for Queen’s.

Nenagh Ormond moved from fifth to fourth in the table as they beat Sunday’s Well 16-3 at Musgrave Park. A Mark Purcell penalty near the finish proved to be the high point for a disappointed ‘Well outfit.

The Tipperary visitors led 9-0 at the break thanks to penalties from John Keehan and John Lillis (2). Right winger Alan Jackson, benefiting from a quick counter attack, scorched over for the game’s only try which Lillis converted.

Elsewhere, Bruff accounted for Waterpark in a 38-8 victory at Kilballyowen Park, and Richard Paul and Darryl Porter both touched down in Rainey’s 21-10 win at City of Derry.

Corinthians also won for the first time in three games as they beat bottom side Portadown 13-0 under the floodlights at Chambers Park.

DIVISION THREE – SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 RESULTS:

Banbridge 14 Wanderers 18, Rifle Park
Bruff 38 Waterpark 8, Kilballyowen Park
City of Derry 10 Rainey Old Boys 21, Judge’s Road
Connemara 5 Queen’s University 42, Monastery Field
Instonians 20 Ballynahinch 14, Shaws Bridge
Portadown 0 Corinthians 13, Chambers Park
Sundays Well 3 Nenagh Ormond 16, Musgrave Park