This Saturday we see the first round games in this year's McCrea Cup for the Belfast clubs.
This competition is the equivalent of the Towns Cup that is organised for the rural clubs, with the final due to be contested at Ravenhill on Wednesday 23rd April.
The current holders are CIYMS who defeated Cooke 20-12 in last season's final at Ravenhill. In the first round there are two matches down for decision with the following clubs receiving a bye: Malone 2nds, Grosvenor, Queen's University ...
This Saturday we see the first round games in this year's McCrea Cup for the Belfast clubs. This competition is the equivalent of the Towns Cup that is organised for the rural clubs, with the final due to be contested at Ravenhill on Wednesday 23rd April. The current holders are CIYMS who defeated Cooke 20-12 in last season's final at Ravenhill. In the first round there are two matches down for decision with the following clubs receiving a bye: Malone 2nds, Grosvenor, Queen's University 2nds, CIYMS, Civil Service and Instonians 2nds. ACADEMY v COOKE For last season's finalists Cooke, this fixture will see them playan in-form Academy side at their home venue of Roughfort in North Belfast. The game is sure to attract a large crowd with two talented sides looking to pursue the challenge of securing a piece of prestigious silverware for their season's efforts. Academy captain Richard Press has the experience in his team with players such as Richard Henderson, Chris McCarey, Norman Carson and Chris Nash to call upon. The addition of ex-Queen's scrumhalf Dave Kenny to their halfbacks has been crucial, with his kicking options proving decisive in several recent games. Their coaching team of Gareth Lynn and Davy Haslett will be looking to start the New Year with a win to build on their strong league showing. Cooke player/coach Colin Atkinson has had to endure a difficult season with the movement of players in and out at Shaw's Bridge. Their league form has been inconsistent for a club who expect to be in the hunt for the league title each season. After recording impressive wins over Ballymena 2nds and Coleraine before Christmas, they ended up losing a keenly contested league game at Dromore last Saturday (17-8). The return of Philip Cartmill after a lengthy injury has boosted the back division. With the exciting Charlie Burrows currently occupying the nine shirt, the battle between the two scrumhalves could decide the outcome of this game. The McCrea Cup always seem to bring out the best of this Cooke side and they should prove too strong. BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2nds v PSNI This local derby can only have one outcome with the men from Deramore Park clear favourites to progress to the second round. This has been a difficult season for the PSNI with the unavailability of players reflecting their lowly league position in Qualifying 3. Quins 1st XV have a crucial Ulster Bank League game at Dungannon on Saturday but with the playing resources available at the club, 'Quins should run out comfortable winners.
This Saturday we see the first round games in this year's McCrea Cup for the Belfast clubs. This competition is the equivalent of the Towns Cup that is organised for the rural clubs, with the final due to be contested at Ravenhill on Wednesday 23rd April. The current holders are CIYMS who defeated Cooke 20-12 in last season's final at Ravenhill. In the first round there are two matches down for decision with the following clubs receiving a bye: Malone 2nds, Grosvenor, Queen's University 2nds, CIYMS, Civil Service and Instonians 2nds. ACADEMY v COOKE For last season's finalists Cooke, this fixture will see them playan in-form Academy side at their home venue of Roughfort in North Belfast. The game is sure to attract a large crowd with two talented sides looking to pursue the challenge of securing a piece of prestigious silverware for their season's efforts. Academy captain Richard Press has the experience in his team with players such as Richard Henderson, Chris McCarey, Norman Carson and Chris Nash to call upon. The addition of ex-Queen's scrumhalf Dave Kenny to their halfbacks has been crucial, with his kicking options proving decisive in several recent games. Their coaching team of Gareth Lynn and Davy Haslett will be looking to start the New Year with a win to build on their strong league showing. Cooke player/coach Colin Atkinson has had to endure a difficult season with the movement of players in and out at Shaw's Bridge. Their league form has been inconsistent for a club who expect to be in the hunt for the league title each season. After recording impressive wins over Ballymena 2nds and Coleraine before Christmas, they ended up losing a keenly contested league game at Dromore last Saturday (17-8). The return of Philip Cartmill after a lengthy injury has boosted the back division. With the exciting Charlie Burrows currently occupying the nine shirt, the battle between the two scrumhalves could decide the outcome of this game. The McCrea Cup always seem to bring out the best of this Cooke side and they should prove too strong. BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2nds v PSNI This local derby can only have one outcome with the men from Deramore Park clear favourites to progress to the second round. This has been a difficult season for the PSNI with the unavailability of players reflecting their lowly league position in Qualifying 3. Quins 1st XV have a crucial Ulster Bank League game at Dungannon on Saturday but with the playing resources available at the club, 'Quins should run out comfortable winners.