Westport pushed themselves six points clear in the standings in the Connacht J1A League ahead of local rivals, Castlebar, following their fourth league win of the season last weekend.
The Bulls saw off the challenge of Monivea at home by 14 points, running out 31-17 winners in Carrowholly with the tries coming from a Kevin Corcoran hat-trick and one each from Brendan McLoughlin and Tom McHale. That win put Westport clear in fourth place in the standings as the league season reached the half-way point and puts them just three points behind third place Tuam. The Covies will be in action next when they take on Monivea again in the return fixture on Sunday, December 8.
Castlebar slipped to their fifth league defeat last weekend going down by ten points on a score of 24-14 away to Tuam last Sunday. The county town men trailed 24-0 at the break, but a strong second half showing saw them outscore their hosts 14-0 in the final 40 minutes, but the damage had been done at that stage. Sean Tonra got their first try in the second half early on with Barry Walshe adding the extras - Danny Plaster got in for their second try with Walshe adding two points from the resulting conversion, but they were unable to add any more scores over the final 20 minutes - Castlebar will get their chance for revenge when they host the north Galway men in round eight on Saturday week under lights in Cloondeash. That loss leaves Castlebar in fifth place in the table, half a dozen points behind Westport in fourth and one point in front of Sligo in sixth spot.
In the Connacht J1B last weekend Ballinrobe slipped to their fourth loss of the season going down 24-7 at home to second place NUIG at home in the Green, that loss leaves Ballinrobe sitting second bottom in the standings with Ballina the only side below them at present. The north Mayo men were beaten 35-10 by league leaders Dunmore last weekend. Both sides will be looking for revenge this weekend when they face the same opponents in the reverse fixtures, with Ballina at home to Dunmore and Ballinrobe travelling south to Galway to take on NUIG in Dangan.
In the Connacht J1C last weekend Ballyhaunis went down 25-10 on the road against Carrick-on-Shannon, that was the east Mayo men's first loss of the season and leaves them in third place at the moment with three wins, one draw and one loss to date. They are just two points off second place Tuam who have played a game more and are five points behind league leaders Ballinasloe who have also played five games so far this season. The Doctors Road side's next game will be against the league leaders at home on Saturday, December 7.
Ballina still looking for first win in AIL this term
Ballina will head to Dermaore Park in Belfast on Saturday still looking for their first league win of the season in Division 2B of the All Ireland League when they take on Belfast Harlequins at 2.30pm tomorrow afternoon. The north Mayo men had a break from AIL action last weekend and will be keen to try and pick up a win, in their last outing they went down 36-12 away to Galwegians, while their opponents this weekend were beaten 26-10 by Malahide. The Ulster men are sitting just one place in front of Ballina in the league standings, having won just one of their games so far this season - a 35-15 win over Corinthians back in mid October - and tomorrow will represent a great chance for Ballina to get some points on the board for the season.
