The domestic club season kicked-off last weekend, and there was no short of drama and surprise results as the Bank of Ireland Senior cup and Shield, as well as Championships 1 and 2 all swung into action.
In Group 1 of the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup, holders Ballynahinch set out their stall for a hat-trick of titles with a convincing 35-7 win over City of Armagh at the Palace Grounds.
Star of the show was winger Aaron Sexton who ran in three tries in an impressive Hinch victory.
Also in Group 1, Banbridge were equally impressive as they accounted for Dungannon 46-14 to kick-off their centenary season in the best possible fashion.
In Group 2 Clogher Valley claimed a huge result on the road when they left Eaton Park with a 27-21 win over Ballymena. Ryan Stewart, Taine Haire and Callum Smyton all touched down in what turned out to be a massive result for the men from Fivemiletown.
The game between Queens University and Instonians did not take place.
The Senior Shield got off to an explosive start with a staggering 152 points being scored over just two games!
In their first match as a senior club, Enniskillen racked up the impressive tally of 43 at Rainey Old Boys. Unfortunately for the Fermanagh side, they were pipped to the post by the Derry men by four-points.
At the Cloughan there was no separating Ballyclare and Malone who finished on 31-points apiece, with Peter Gillespie’s individual try the stand-out score of a thrilling contest.
Saturday also witnessed the commencement of both Championship 1 & 2.
Dromore opened their account with a 43-7 win at home to Lurgan, while Portadown had a 38-5 win at Belfast Harlequins.
Omagh were pushed all the way by Ballymoney, but the Accies dug-deep to leave Kilraughts Road with a 17-7 victory.
There were also opening day wins for the two promoted clubs.
For the first time in 10 years, Ards got the better of their North Down neighbours Bangor on a 29-26 scoreline at Hamilton Park.
Last season Championship 2 winners Limavady left Shaw’s Bridge on the right side of a 14-7 win over Cooke.
There was a similar situation in Championship 2 after Coleraine and Strabane started life in the second tier on a positive note.
Tries from Thomas Neely, Zach Herald and Joel Chambers helped new boys Coleraine to a 30-17 win over Larne at The Glynn, while in the north-west, Strabane got the better of Academy 23-16.
City of Derry got their season off to the best possible start with a 38-19 win over Lisburn while CIYMS had a fine win over Randalstown. 27-20 the final score in Neilsbrook.
Finally, Carrickfergus proved too strong for Letterkenny with the East Antrim side coming out on top 45-0.
Weekend results
Bank of Ireland Senior Cup
Group 1
City of Armagh 7-35 Ballynahinch
Banbridge 46-14 Dungannon
Group 2
Queens University C Instonians
Ballymena 21-27 Clogher Valley
Bank of Ireland Senior Shield
Ballyclare 31-31 Malone
Rainey 47-43 Enniskillen
Championship 1
Dromore 43-7 Lurgan
Belfast Harlequins 5-38 Portadown
Ballymoney 7-17 Omagh
Ards 29-26 Bangor
Cooke 7-14 Limavady
Championship 2
Randalstown 20-27 CIYMS
Strabane 23-16 Academy
Carrickfergus 45-0 Letterkenny
City of Derry 38-19 Lisburn
Larne 17-30 Coleraine
Provincial Premier 2
Instonians 3XV 60-0 Belfast Harlequins 2XV
Regional North East
Randalstown 3XV Larne 3XV C
Regional South
Dromore 3XV 38-7 Portadown 3XV