ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1A
OLD BELVEDERE (4th) v BALLYNAHINCH (9th), Anglesea Road, Saturday, 2pm
The County Down team travel to Anglesea Road in Dublin for another testing fixture against fourth place Old Belvedere on Saturday still looking for their first win. Not a lot has gone right for Ballynahinch. But they are obviously better than their four defeats and second from bottom position in the table would indicate. Generally, they have tended to be reasonably competitive without getting a ...
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1A OLD BELVEDERE (4th) v BALLYNAHINCH (9th), Anglesea Road, Saturday, 2pm The County Down team travel to Anglesea Road in Dublin for another testing fixture against fourth place Old Belvedere on Saturday still looking for their first win. Not a lot has gone right for Ballynahinch. But they are obviously better than their four defeats and second from bottom position in the table would indicate. Generally, they have tended to be reasonably competitive without getting a result. So, while Old Belvedere will undoubtedly be favourites, they would be unwise to take anything for granted. Old Belvedere must be seen as one of the success stories of the season to date under the coaching of Paul Cunningham. Despite having to play the two leaders - UCD and Cork Con - they have managed an excellent start which sees them currently lying fourth in the table. Jack Conan at No 8 continues to impress while outhalf Steve Crosbie also added to his reputation in last Saturday's 13-10 away success over Young Munster.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1B BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th) v DUNGANNON (9th), Stradbrook, Saturday, 2pm Dungannon have had a difficult start to the Ulster bank league campaign with just one victory to their credit and they lie second from bottom in the table. The Tyrone side will have been particularly disappointed with losing their home game to Corinthians last Saturday. They have the opportunity to travel to Stradbrook on Saturday and bring four important points back to Stevenson Park. Coach Paddy Johns is doing a terrific job with the playing resources available to him. Blackrock College also, it has to be said, have their problems. They have now lost three on the trot having opened with a useful away win over Shannon. Last weekend's 18-6 defeat by Belfast Harlequins suggests that they have a good deal of work to do. There's an awful lot at stake for both teams.
MALONE (8th) v BELFAST HARLEQUINS (5th), Gibson Park, 2.30pm Everything suggests a close battle in this Ulster derby encounter. Both sides have won one out of four to date.?But Belfast Harlequins could be in the better frame of mind having decisively beaten Blackrock College 16-6 to gain their first victory at the weekend past. There use of the maul was particularly effective the in poor conditions. The result will hopefully provide them with the impetus they need. It's hard to figure out Malone. They continue to be erractic but Taylor Acheson clearly represents a danger to Belfast Harlequins having scored two tries against the league leaders Terenure last Saturday. Coach Jacque Benade will have been impressed by the workrate of his forwards in the first half in Dublin against the elements. But poor decision making and their inability to use the elements in their favour to secure second half field position limited their attacking opportunities. The release of Ulster players to both sides will influence the outcome of this important match to both sides.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1A OLD BELVEDERE (4th) v BALLYNAHINCH (9th), Anglesea Road, Saturday, 2pm The County Down team travel to Anglesea Road in Dublin for another testing fixture against fourth place Old Belvedere on Saturday still looking for their first win. Not a lot has gone right for Ballynahinch. But they are obviously better than their four defeats and second from bottom position in the table would indicate. Generally, they have tended to be reasonably competitive without getting a result. So, while Old Belvedere will undoubtedly be favourites, they would be unwise to take anything for granted. Old Belvedere must be seen as one of the success stories of the season to date under the coaching of Paul Cunningham. Despite having to play the two leaders - UCD and Cork Con - they have managed an excellent start which sees them currently lying fourth in the table. Jack Conan at No 8 continues to impress while outhalf Steve Crosbie also added to his reputation in last Saturday's 13-10 away success over Young Munster.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE 1B BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th) v DUNGANNON (9th), Stradbrook, Saturday, 2pm Dungannon have had a difficult start to the Ulster bank league campaign with just one victory to their credit and they lie second from bottom in the table. The Tyrone side will have been particularly disappointed with losing their home game to Corinthians last Saturday. They have the opportunity to travel to Stradbrook on Saturday and bring four important points back to Stevenson Park. Coach Paddy Johns is doing a terrific job with the playing resources available to him. Blackrock College also, it has to be said, have their problems. They have now lost three on the trot having opened with a useful away win over Shannon. Last weekend's 18-6 defeat by Belfast Harlequins suggests that they have a good deal of work to do. There's an awful lot at stake for both teams.
MALONE (8th) v BELFAST HARLEQUINS (5th), Gibson Park, 2.30pm Everything suggests a close battle in this Ulster derby encounter. Both sides have won one out of four to date.?But Belfast Harlequins could be in the better frame of mind having decisively beaten Blackrock College 16-6 to gain their first victory at the weekend past. There use of the maul was particularly effective the in poor conditions. The result will hopefully provide them with the impetus they need. It's hard to figure out Malone. They continue to be erractic but Taylor Acheson clearly represents a danger to Belfast Harlequins having scored two tries against the league leaders Terenure last Saturday. Coach Jacque Benade will have been impressed by the workrate of his forwards in the first half in Dublin against the elements. But poor decision making and their inability to use the elements in their favour to secure second half field position limited their attacking opportunities. The release of Ulster players to both sides will influence the outcome of this important match to both sides.