IN-form UL Bohemian continued their relentless march towards a top four play-off spot with a 29-7 All Ireland League bonus point win over Galwegians at Annacotty yesterday.

An 82nd minute try from the versatile Fergal Lawlor helped the Limerick side secure a maximum fivepoint haul against their plucky opponents. UL Bohemian will bid to make it six wins from seven AIL games when they face Blackrock in their final fixture in the regular season in Dublin on April 21.

However, they were made fight all the way for this victory against a Galwegians side which were lying in 11th place in the League table before kick-off. The home side enjoyed a slender 7-0 half-time lead after a closely-contested opening half.

Indeed, Galwegians started the brighter of the two sides, but lacked the cutting edge necessary to translate their plentiful supply of possession into points on the board. UL Bohs, who looked nervy early on, received a major boost on 21 minutes after bagging the game's opening try. From a penalty award on their own 22, former Munster prop Mike Storey opted to take a quick tap. The ball was quickly fed out to full-back Mark Butler, who made a smashing break up through the middle of the field. That move was eventually halted, but the ball was quickly recycled and lock Anthony Hartigan dived over for a touchdown. Centre Ben Martin added the conversion.

The excellent Martin McPhail, who has previously played with Galwegian, scored a smashing second try for the home side four minutes after the restart.

But any thoughts UL Bohs supporters may have had of it turning into an easy afternoon were dispelled when 'Wegians centre Anthony Barrett crossed for a fine 54th minute try for the visitors. The score was created by a splendid break by Nick Wakely and his conversion just left five points between the sides.

To their credit, UL Bohs displayed admirable composure in the final quarter of the match to finally take the sting from their opponents.

Martin added a 69thminute penalty goal to leave an eight-point cushion between the sides.

Replacement Ian Hanley struck for a well-worked try in the left corner before Lawlor secured the bonus point with his injury time touchdown.

UL BOHEMIAN M Butler; M McPhail, B Martin, C Finn, T Luke; F Lawlor, P Rowley; G Walsh, G Ryan, M Storey; B Madigan, A Hartigan; A O'Gorman, J E O'Connor, J O'Neill Subs I Hanley for Rowley, 50 mins; R Feeney for Storey, 57 mins; C Garvey for Butler, 60 mins; R Hartigan for B Hartigan, 69 mins GALWEGIANS C O'Beirne; K Hickman, N Wakely, A Barrett, H Murphy; P O'Toole, T Ellard; D O'Connell, C Muldoon, D O'Brien; D Boyd, T Grey; A Conboy, I Cullinane, L Casserly Subs J Wakley for O'Beirne, 39 mins; L Scahill for O'Brien, 65 mins; J Mullen for Casserly, 65 mins Referee S McDowell (Ulster)