Dromore Win Top of The Table Battle
In Championship 1, Dromore bounced back from last week’s defeat to Ballymoney in the best possible fashion by ending Omagh’s unbeaten start to the season at Barban Hill.
Determined to get back to winning ways, an early try for Dromore set the tone for the afternoon. Two first half tries helped the home side to a 17-0 half-time lead, and they went on to cross the Omagh line a further three times in the second period.
A late Omagh rally saw the visitors run in three tries, but in the end, Dromore ran out comfortable 36-19 winners.
Portadown made the most of Omagh’s loss in Dromore to move into second spot in the table.
They edged Limavady in a 10-try thriller at Chambers Park 38-34, a result that looked unlikely at the break after the Roesiders built up a 31-5 half-time lead.
Limavady could only add a penalty in the second period, and it looked like they had done enough to bag the win, but a last ditch Portadown try sealed a dramatic home win.
Elsewhere, Ballymoney edged Cooke 31-25 while Lurgan saw off Bangor 34-24 at Pollock Park, while Ards proved too strong for Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.
Carrickfergus and Strabane Deadlocked in Championship 2
Strabane and Carrickfergus are now joint top of Championship 2 after both recorded home wins over the weekend.
At Bradley Way, Strabane ran in three tries on their way to a 24-3 victory over Larne. But they failed to claim the all-important try bonus. At Tom Simms Memorial Park, Carrickfergus gained the full quota of points on offer after a 33-0 win over City of Derry.
It leaves both Carrickfergus and Strabane on 25-points from six games played.
But it’s by no means a two horse. Academy are just three-points off the top wo following a 27-21 win over fourth placed Lisburn.
CIYMS returned to winning ways thanks to a 37-0 win over Letterkenny, while Randalstown accounted for Coleraine at Neilsbrook, 33-7.
Full weekend domestic results are available here.
Mixed Fortunes in All-Ireland League
Ulster clubs experienced mixed results over the weekend in round five of the All-Ireland League.
Ballynahinch fell to a 39-21 defeat to Clontarf in 1A, while in 1B, Instonians scrapped home against Dublin University 28-22.
There was no joy on the road for City of Armagh as Naas proved too strong for the orchard men 43-17.
In 2A Dungannon were pipped at the post by Cashel and at Eaton Park, Ballymena fell to a first defeat of the season against Wanders.
Banbridge recorded a superb 39-17 win at Ballyclare. Malone won a thriller at home to Clogher Valley while there were also wins for Enniskillen and Rainey over Skerries and Malahide respectively.