Omagh made the most of Dromore’s defeat to Ballymoney to take over leadership in Championship 1, while in Championship 2, Strabane were seconds away from a first defeat of the season before they salvaged a late draw at City of Derry.
In Championship 3, Virginia and Grosvenor remain unbeaten, with Monaghan ready to make the most of any slip-ups after their comeback win over Donaghadee.
Ballymoney brought Dromore’s perfect season to a halt on Saturday afternoon at Kilraughts Road.
Dromore had their noses in front at the break thanks to a 12-17 lead. But roared on by a large home support, Ballymoney squeezed home by the narrowest of margins, 25-24 to climb up to fourth spot in the Championship 1 standings.
Omagh took full advantage of Dromore’s first loss to take over top spot following a 13-39 win at Limavady.
It was a game that was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Both sides created plenty of chances, but it was Omagh’s greater level of efficiency in the 22 that helped them push a 6-15 half-time lead to a 26-point victory.
Ards picked a much-needed win with a 24-19 success at home to Lurgan while Portadown scored a 29-49 win at Bangor.
Cooke proved too strong for Belfast Harlequins in the South Belfast derby at Shaw’s Bridge.
Strabane have Virgil Grootboom to thank after the scrumhalf’s try with the last play rescued a draw for the Championship 2 leaders.
There was little to separate the sides from the first to the last whistle as they turned around at the break tied at 7-7.
But second half tries from Simon Logue, Gabriel Evans and Mark Scott looked to have sealed City of Derry a much-needed win, but Grootboom’s score at the death followed by Christiaan Grobbler’s conversion saw the teams finish all-square 24-24.
Strabane remain top of Championship 2, but their lead is cut to just one-point after Carrickfergus saw off CIYMS 46-0 at Tom Simms Memorial Park.
Lisburn kept up their impressive run with a 24-19 win over Letterkenny while Larne edged a tense affair against Randalstown. 16-14 the final score at The Glynn.
At Rugby Avenue, Academy claimed a 24-31 bonus-point win over Coleraine. A result that lifts the North Belfast side up to fourth in the Championship 2 standings.
Virginia and Grosvenor maintained their perfect starts to the season after both recorded big wins over the weekend.
At Stormont, Grosvenor saw off Civil Service 10-75, while Chambers Park, Portadown was the venue for as Virginia ran in nine-tries against PSNI. 61-12 the final score to the Cavan side continues their rich vein of form.
It was a much closer affair at IJM Park where Monaghan got the better of Donaghadee.
The Dee absorbed a lot of early pressure from their hosts and that dogged defensive display helped them to a 0-5 halftime lead.
It got better for the North Down men not long after the restart when they went over for their second try to open-up a twelve-point lead. Gareth Graham converted his own try as Monaghan’s eventually got themselves on the scoreboard, but Donaghadee replied with a third try to 7-17 ahead at the end of the third quarter.
But Monaghan found another gear in the closing stages and two tries from Simon O’Connell and one from Jamie Sherlock saw Monaghan snatch the win from the jaws of defeat, 25-17.
Belfast High School Former Pupils returned from Cavan with a 24-38 win while Ulster University were also successful on their travels.
The students had a 5-56 win over Newry at Telford Park.