Table-toppers Lansdowne storm past St Mary's
Lansdowne 35 St. Mary’s College 6
Champions-elect Lansdowne passed another big Ulster Bank League test with flying colours as they dominated St. Mary’s College, last year’s winners.
Mike Ruddock’s men are 14 points clear of second-placed Clontarf at the top of the table, with just four rounds of matches remaining.
This was a tight contest in the first half on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch, two penalties from full-back Gavin Dunne keeping St. Mary’s in the hunt.
Lansdowne built a 13-6 lead with their pack forcing a penalty try in the 24th minute and talismanic out-half Craig Ronaldson booting a conversion and two penalties.
Lansdowne had 20 points to spare when these clubs met at Templeville Road in October, and they turned on the afterburners to net yet another bonus point after the break.
Centre Simon Morrissey and pack regulars Charlie Butterworth and Ron Boucher all claimed tries as Lansdowne coasted clear on the scoreboard.
Ronaldson was just as effective from the kicking tee, adding two more conversions and a penalty as he took his league haul to a stunning 178 points.
Scorers:
Lansdowne: Tries: Penalty try, Charlie Butterworth, Ron Boucher, Simon Morrissey; Cons: Craig Ronaldson 3; Pens: Craig Ronaldson 3
St. Mary’s College: Pens: Gavin Dunne 2
HT: Lansdowne 13 St. Mary’s College 6
