Ballymena edged out Dungannon 13-12 in Saturday's Ulster derby in the AIB All-Ireland League.

Dungannon led for most of the contest but two late penalties from Mark Waterhouse maintained Ballymena's impressive start to the season.

The home team put Ballymena under intense pressure in injury-time and Mark Armstrong was inches wide with a last-ditch drop goal attempt.

Dungannon opened the scoring in the 26th minute with Alistair Clarke's break setting up Seamus Mallon to crash over for a try which Armstrong converted.

However, Ballymena replied with a Derek Topping try which was converted by Mark Waterhouse.

Dungannon's Peter Sandford then made up for his earlier sinbinning by producing a superb break which was finished off with Aidan Kearney driving over.

Ballymena's Matt Mc Cullough holds possession

Kearney's try left Dungannon 12-7 ahead at the break but the home side failed to score during the second period.

The quality of the action was poor in the second period but Ballymena weren't complaining with Waterhouse's two penalties proving decisive.

Three Johnny Lowe tries and a pair of Chris McCarey touchdowns helped Belfast Harlequins hammer UCD 52-29 at Deramore.

Harlequins notched eight tries which ensured Andre Bester's side a valuable bonus point.

After producing a lot of early pressure, Harlequins eventually opened their account in the 26th minute with referee Alan Lewis awarding a penalty try.

McCarey scored his first try of the match two minutes later before Noel Hickie opened UCD's account with a penalty.

Shortly before the interval, Chris McCarey notched his second try which helped Harlequins to a 17-3 interval lead.

Lowe notched his three tries in a devastating 15 minutes period which ended any prospect of a UCD comeback.

Leaders Clontarf

To their credit, the Students didn't give up and a couple of Damien McKenna tries maintained respectability on the scoreboard.

Darren Barber and Roger Wilson scored further late tries for the Belfast side.

The win was a boost for a Harlequins side who had lost their three previous league encounters.

Blackrock's 16-15 defeat by Terenure meant that Clontarf, 34-11 winners over Lansdowne, take over at the top of the table.

Clontarf lead Ballymena by a point with Blackrock dropping to third place in the Division One table.

AIB Division One results
Belfast Harlequins 52-29 UCD
Blackrock 15-16 Terenure
Clontarf 34-11 Lansdowne
Carlow 10-22 St Mary's
Dungannon 12-13 Ballymena
Shannon 21-15 Cork Constitution
Garryowen v Galwegians (Sunday)