Action in the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup and continued over the weekend with Ballynahinch and Instonians both in strong positions to top their groups, while in the Senior Shield, all four teams are still in the hunt for a place in the final.
In the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup, Instonians took charge of Group 2 with a 38-24 win over Ballymena at Shaw’s Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Paul Pritchard’s side ran in six tries on their way to victory with five coming in the second half.
Ballymena bossed the first half and thanks to a try from hooker Callum Mustoe, and a further five-points from the boot of James McMillan, the visitors led 10-5 at the break.
The game turned on its head five minutes into the second half thanks to a Bradley McNamara try.
Full back McNamara showed great footwork to create space for himself before running clear of the Ballymena defence to go in under the posts. Josh Eagleson knocked over the conversion to hand Instonians the lead for the first time. And it was a lead that they were never to relinquish.
McNamara’s try was the signal for Instonians to step-up a gear and by the end of the third quarter, they had built up a 26-10 lead.
Ballymena came back into the tie in the final quarter with two tries, but Andrew Keane’s late try sealed a 14-point win for the hosts.
Instonians sit one-point clear of second placed Clogher Valley. The Fivemiletown side hit a half century of points in a 50-24 win over Queens. It’s a win that sets up a Group 2 decider next weekend in Fivemiletown.
In Group 1, Ballynahinch are in a strong position to advance following their 38-19 win over Dungannon.
After a hat-trick last week, Aaron Sexton was among the scorers again with a double, as was Bradley Luney as Hinch swept to a second bonus-point win of the season.
At Rifle Park, City of Armagh put last week’s defeat to Ballynahinch to bed with a 35-5 win over Banbridge.
Bank of Ireland Senior Shield
With one round of fixtures to play, it’s all to play for in the Bank of Ireland Senior Shield with just four-points separating the four teams.
Malone edged past Rainey at Gibson Park 22-12, and they are joined at the top of the section by Enniskillen.
Enniskillen registered 43-points in defeat against Rainey last week, and they were in a free scoring mood again this week as they saw off Ballyclare 45-14 at Mullaghmeen.
It sets up an exciting final day of pool fixtures this Saturday with Enniskillen hosting Malone, and Ballyclare having home advantage against Rainey.
Bank of Ireland Senior Cup
Group 1
Banbridge 5-35 City of Armagh
Dungannon 19-38 Ballynahinch
Group 2
Clogher Valley 50-24 Queens University
Instonians 38-24 Ballymena
Bank of Ireland Shield
Enniskillen 45-14 Ballyclare
Malone 22-12 Rainey