Ulster Bank League: Division 2C Review

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2C: Saturday, February 11

ROUND 12 RESULTS –

Boyne 17 Navan 30, Shamrock Lodge (played on Friday)
Bruff 37 Kanturk 0, Kilballyowen Park (played on Friday)
Midleton 13 Sligo 33, Towns Park
Seapoint 15 Bangor 3, Kilbogget Park
Rainey Old Boys 25 Tullamore 22, Hatrick Park

Table toppers Navan did not have it all their own way against struggling neighbours Boyne whose first half tries from Hugh Carolan and Rory Hennessy had them just 15-14 behind at the break.

Navan’s class shone through in the second half, though, as they came away from Shamrock Lodge with a 30-17 win. Sean McEntaggart, who had touched down on the stroke of half-time, was the man to register the bonus point score when he powered through a couple of attempted tackles in the final quarter.

The visitors’ two other tries were scored by Brian Haugh and Sean Healy, with their high tempo play, coupled with the advantage of a strong wind during the closing 40 minutes, proving too much for a spirited Boyne outfit.

It was a much more one-sided contest under the floodlights at Kilballyowen Park where Bruff claimed their fifth try-scoring bonus point of the campaign. They ran out very impressive 37-0 winners over well-beaten Kanturk, with winger Liam Tracey scoring a hat-trick inside the first 28 minutes.

Tony Cahill’s well-timed offload played in Tracey for his third try of the night, flanker Maghnus Collins added the fourth try before half-time and three more followed in the second period from Dave Horan, Jack O’Grady and John Clery.

Meanwhile, Midleton slumped to their fourth straight defeat as Sligo stormed to a 33-13 bonus point success at Towns Park. The westerners kept hold of third place with another free-flowing performance.

The first half was a tight affair, however, with Sean White’s converted try in the right corner reducing the arrears for Midleton to 14-10. Sligo had to absorb plenty of early pressure before winger Conor Kerins touched down from his own volleyed kick ahead and a spate of ground-gaining carries from the forwards led to Conor Mitchell going over in the 15th minute.

A Stuart Lee penalty made it a one-point game (14-13) on the resumption, but Sligo gradually clicked into gear and notched their bonus point thanks to efforts from Michael Wells, who combined well with Kerins, and Calum Goddard following a powerful run by Mark Rooney.

The visitors immediately pushed for a fifth and final try and were rewarded when tricky scrum half Ryan Feehily jinked through and drew in the Midleton cover before releasing supporting hooker Shane O’Hehir for a craftily created last-minute score.

Seapoint put an end to their five-match losing streak with an encouraging 15-3 triumph over Bangor at Kilbogget Park, Eric Miller’s men managing the weather conditions to a tee with a try in each half. The result has drawn the south Dubliners level on 19 points with eighth-placed Kanturk.

Up at Hatrick Park, Tullamore lost for the first time in five rounds after a last-gasp try guided Rainey Old Boys to a hard-fought 25-22 victory. Ex-Ulster players Ricky Andrew and Tim Barker played leading roles again for Rainey who remain second in the table, with Tullamore still fourth.

– Photos by Janusz Trzesicki & Advocate Films