Jake Swaine and Robert Duke scored two tries apiece as Terenure College secured their top flight status with a comprehensive 36-14 bonus point win over Old Belvedere at Lakelands Park.
Terenure had beaten fellow strugglers Galwegians 14-10 out west two weeks ago to move four points clear of the relegation play-off spot, but they still needed a positive result today to make sure they remained a Division 1A club.
The eighth-placed side were well on course by half-time, leading 19-0 despite losing hooker Rob Smyth to the sin-bin. Flanker and captain James O’Neill touched down from a well-executed lineout maul, and pacey winger Swaine latched onto a bouncing ball for his first try before converting flanker Duke’s effort just before the interval.
Belvedere, who were already destined to finish in mid-table, exerted some pressure on the restart butAdam Howard’s yellow card left them shorthanded and ‘Nure soon took advantage for their bonus point score.
Smyth’s replacement Adam Clarkin crossed to the right of the posts after some excellent approach work from out-half James Thornton. ‘Belvo opened their account just shy of the hour mark, with the versatileDaniel Riordan, who lined out in the number 10 jersey, crashing over after linking up superbly with replacement Max Ludwig.
Charlie Rock converted and also added the extras to a late consolation effort from winger Andrew Larkin, but in between Swaine, who finished with a 16-point haul, squeezed through for his second touchdown and Duke did likewise, scoring by the posts after a Michael Melia effort had been ruled out for a forward pass by Harrison Brewer.