Malone weather the storm to secure victory

STORM Dennis did its worst but no games succumbed to the dreadful conditions, though only one Ulster side got through the weather-beaten weekend with a win.

Malone were the ones to get four points thanks to their 12-0 victory at bottom team Navan — a side they had seen off by a 40-point margin when they crossed swords at Gibson Park last November — which put them in sixth in an increasingly claustrophobic-looking 1B table.

Just four points lie between Banbridge in fourth and City of Armagh, who are now in seventh, while Naas and St Mary’s College, in eighth and ninth respectively, are also within striking distance.

At Navan, there were just two scores in the match with Malone landing their tries in either half.

Prop Peter Cooper touched down first and out-half Callum Smith kicked the conversion, which gave Chris Henry’s squad their 7-0 lead when the sides changed ends.

It was no great surprise that another forward claimed Malone’s next and final score, lock James McAllister crashing over.

Malone now host Old Belvedere, the side just above them in the table, in what looks a huge clash at Gibson Park.

City of Armagh’s two-game winning run came to an end when they hosted leaders Highfield.

Willie Faloon’s side had led 10-0 before the Cork club drew level and then triumphed 1510, Armagh conceding all their points in the second half.

Prop Peter Lamb had opened Armagh’s account with a try converted by Cormac Fox.

The half ended with the home team leading 7-0 and that became 10-0 when Fox kicked a penalty.

As things worked out, the scoreboard didn’t turn again for Armagh and though they did pick up a losing bonus point for a narrow defeat, they dropped back from fifth to seventh in the highly compressed 1B standings.

They must now regroup to handle a challenging trip to Old Wesley, who are second, and their artificial surface on Saturday.

Banbridge also had to take comfort from a losing bonus point after they, too, tasted defeat.

The Co Down side were at Old Belvedere and though they scored first, the final score read 17-14 in favour of the Dubliners.

Flanker Ryan Hughes had dotted down for Bann from a driving maul on 20 minutes after Mark McDowell’s squad had enjoyed plenty of early possession.

Bruce Houston had converted but the remainder of the half saw Belvo score one try and secure a penalty try as the first 40 minutes ended.

That put Bann 12-7 down which became 17-7 on the 50-minute mark.

The losing bonus point was Bann’s on the hour after hooker Peter Cromie got the ball over the line, Houston adding the extras.

In 1A, Ballynahinch stayed at the foot of the table after coming off second best at a weather-blasted Ballymacarn Park to unbeaten leaders Cork Constitution.

Hinch went down by 16-5, their only score a Mattie Rea try late in the game.

Hinch now face ninth-placed Dublin University on Saturday, though Brian McLaughlin’s side are again at home, in a crunch tie as both teams are sitting on 18 points.

1A: Ballynahinch 5 Cork Constitution 16. 1B: Armagh 10 Highfield 15, Navan 0 Malone 12, Old Belvedere 17 Banbridge 14.