Ronaldson class decisive as Lansdowne cut loose
LANSDOWNE 36 UL BOHEMIAN 13
A 16-POINT haul from Craig Ronaldson was crucial as Lansdowne maintained their place at the top of the table with a bonus-point triumph over a spirited UL Bohemian on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch yesterday.
UL had enjoyed a dream start with a try on five minutes from winger Martin McPhail, converted superbly by Ben Martin. Lansdowne eventually settled into the proceedings when Marc Feeley crossed the whitewash on 15 minutes.
UL did responded well with a Martin penalty on 20 minutes, but Lansdowne took the lead for the first time four minutes later thanks to a seven-point salvo by Ronaldson. Sean Carey followed up with another converted try, but a second Martin place-kick reduced the margin to six (19-13) at the break.
The second half proved to be rather scrappy, although Lansdowne did cross for a fourth try seven minutes after the re-start through the Cian Aherne. Ronaldson’s tricky conversion on the sideline was confidently secured, and he increased his side’s cushion to 16 heading into the final quarter with his first penalty.
The final try arrived in stoppage time through the ever-dangerous Aherne, giving Mike Ruddock’s men another impressive win.