UL/BOHEMIAN boosted their prospects of retaining their Division One status for next season, thanks to an exciting bonus-point victory over UCD at a bitterly cold Thomond Park yesterday.

Centre Ben Martin bagged a brace of touchdowns in a 21point haul, as last season's Division Two champions continued their push away from the lower regions of the league table.

However, the home side were made fight all the way for their third win of the campaign against an Eoghan Hickey-inspired UCD outfit.

Out-half Hickey deserved better than to see his injurytime penalty attempt from near halfway, which would have secured a bonus point for his side, drift narrowly wide.

Both sides deserve great credit for adopting such an enterprising approach to their play all through.

The small attendance was treated to plenty of attacking rugby, embellished with six tries, but also containing a sprinkling of mistakes.

The teams turned over level, 14-14, at half-time.

Full-back Ross McCarron touched down for UCD's opening try on 14 minutes, while Hickey added a second when he collected his own up-and-under before outsmarting the home sides defence to score.

UL Bohs hit back with tries from full-back Cathal Garvey and a smashing effort from Martin, following a fine break by scrum-half Chris Delooze.

The game continued to be played in an open, loose manner after the break with both sides willing to throw the ball around at every opportunity.

Two further penalty goals from Hickey helped UCD into a 20-17 lead on 50 minutes.

However, Martin's second try of the afternoon in the 56th minute wrestled the initiative back for the home side.

A third Hickey penalty left a single point, 24-23, between the sides with 10 minutes remaining.

UCD, who had won three of their four previous league meetings with UL Bohs were still well in contention. But it was UL Bohemian who struck for the decisive score of the half when the exciting Colman Finn grabbed an opportunist try with 10 minutes remaining. Martin added the extras for good measure.

UL BOHEMIAN C Garvey; M McPhail, B Martin, C Finn, I Hanley; F Lawlor, C Delooze; M Harty, F Leonard, M Storey, B Madigan, A Hartigan; R Hartigan, J E O'Connor, J O'Neill Subs K Flanagan for M Harty, 51 mins; G Ryan for F Leonard, 62 mins; K Barry for J O'Neill, 69 mins

UCD R McCarron; S Grissing, K Kennedy, N Kearns, D McKenna; E Hickey, J Moroney; J A Lee, C Geoghegan, K Doyle, B Hall, R Mandeno; S Crawford, K Croke, K McLaughlin Subs L Burke for K McLaughlin, h-t; M Fanning for D McKenna and P Shanley for B Hall, 60 mins; B O'Neill for J Moroney, 68 mins Referee S McDowell (Ulster)