Preview of this weekend's First Trust Senior Cup semi-finals, Qualifying League One, Two and Three and also Kukri Conference League One and Two...
First Trust Senior Cup Semi-Finals
Ballymena v Queens Uni
The focus for both both teams may be on their AIL ambitions this season. Coaches Andy Graham and Bob Young are aware what it means for their players to contest the First Trust Senior Cup Final at the Kingspan stadium on Wed 9th December. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham will be missing 1st xv players Rodger McBurney, Callum Patterson, John Andrews, Bronson Ross, Alan O'Connor, Clive Ross, Stephen Mulholland, Michael Lagan and Andrew McGrath who are included in the Ulster A squad for the British & Irish Cup match against Bristol at the Kingspan Stadium tonight with a 7.30pm kick off. Both Michael Lagan and Andrew McGrath may start for Ballymena on Sat depending on their game time tomorrow night with Ulster A.
The Ballymena team is expected to be front row of Chris Allen, Adam McBurney and Chris Cundell with Ian Caldwell and Conor Smyth in the second row. The back row will include Michael Shiels, Willy McKay and Matty Rea who was training with Ulster A squad. Glen Baillie continues at scrum half with either Richie McMaster or Andrew McGrath at out half. Paddy James renews his centre partnership with Marty Irwin after several games on the seconds. James Beattie will start at full back with Jordan Foster and Jonny Rossborough on the wings. The bench will include James Taggart, Lewis McClinton, David Whann and either Richie McMaster/Andrew McGrath plus one other. The coach is resting Marty Irwin and Matthew Harkness with Paddy McGowan continuing his recovery from a knee injury.
Queens will be missing Jonny McPhillips, Robert Lyttle, Alex Thompson and Liam Free who are involved with Ulster A side. The availability of Alex Thompson and Liam Free for Queens on Sat will be dependent on their game time tomorrow night. Both Jake Byrne and Alex Kane are expected to be involved with the Ireland under 19/20 training squads this weekend. Number 8 Nick Timoney is travelling with the Ireland Sevens squad to play in Spain on Sat and Sun.
Head coach Bob Young is pleased that he has had a settled playing squad in recent weeks. The team have three huge AIL games coming up against Malone and Banbridge before Xmas that will have a bearing on their season. The cup match against Ballymena will get some players valuable game time. Saturday's Cup match will be tough - against one of the form teams in club rugby.
Head coach Andy Graham recognises the importance of the Cup to the Club and the team. Queens have a more settled team than Ballymena for this weekend. The Ballymena players are expecting a physical/ hard game with the dangerous Queens threequarters posing a real threat. He is pleased with the attitude of the players in recent weeks with the club players stepping up to the mark in the 15 - 14 win at Buccaneers last sat night.
Belfast Harlequins v Ballynahinch
Both teams are bottom of Div 1A and B after losing their opening seven AIL matches. The First Trust Senior Cup represents an opportunity for the teams and players to secure a Cup final place before the AIL league resumes on the 28th November with Hinch looking to retain the Cup after defeating Malone in last seasons final. Ballynahinch will be missing their Ulster players Sam Windsor, Paul Rowley, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson and Conor Joyce who are involved with the Ulster A squad tomorrow night. Game time tomorrow night will determine whether Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson and Conor Joyce can play for Ballynahinch on Sat. Some encouraging news for Head coach Derek Suffern is the return of John Donnan and David McGuigan from injury with Lorcan Dow unavailable. The Hinch starting team is - front row of Craig Trenier, Kyle McCall, Kelvin Hamilton with James Simpson and John Donnan in the second row. David McGuigan, Captain Paul Pritchard and Thomas Donnan make up the back row. Chris Gibson starts at scrum half with James McBriar at out half. Will Stewart and Stuart Morrow make up the centre pairing with Adam Craig at full back and Robin Harte and Davy Nicholson starting on the wings. With second row John Donnan restricted to forty minutes of action Jonny Madden is expected to take over in the second half. No decision has been made on the Hinch bench with options to include Richard Reaney, Manihera Eden, Chris Quinn, Andrew Harper, Jonny Blair and Keith Dickson. Injury continues to rule out number 8 Michael Graham.
Belfast Harlequins are expected to include Ulster players Conor Young and Frankie Taggart along with Ulster under 20 players Matthew McDowell and Matthew Fisher. Injuries and unavailabilities limit the rotation of the playing squad for Head coach Adam Larkin. Director of Rugby DC Gillespie views this Cup semi final as another big challenge for his team and players on Sat, but one the players are looking forward to. The pressure of the AIL is off the team for the next couple of weeks. Ballynahinch are a very good Div 1A team and are certainly better than their league position suggests - so it's another big challenge for his Quins team. The team and the players are looking for a big improvement from last week when our performance was well below what we are capable of - despite the many injuries we still have.
Ballymena v Queens Uni
Belfast Harlequins v Ballynahinch
Qualifying League One
Ards V Omagh
Two teams with different ambitions riding on the outcome of this match. Omagh believe they have the playing resources to mount a top four challenge after an indifferent start to their league campaign. Three consecutive wins have moved the team into sixth place along with a Junior Cup semi final against Instonians. Head coach Philip Marshall had his team selection disrupted during the opening weeks of the season with injuries to his key back row players Andrew Ferguson, Richard Harpur and Stuart Allen. Their replacements James Catterson, Aaron Shortt and Dean Porter have cemented their starting places with consistent performances. Both Ferguson and Harpur have returned to playing action with the second xv as they fight to secure their 1st xv place. Stuart Allen continues to follow concussion protocols and is joined by centre Alan Heaney and winger Stephen McLaine with concussion injuries. Both Matty Eccles and Scott Elliott move up from the seconds to take their place in the 1st xv squad for sat.
Ards have lost their opening five league matches and sit in nineth place with four points - three ahead of bottom place CIYMS. Head coach David Irwin knows his team need to start picking up league points with crucial games coming up before Xmas.
Ballyclare v Dromore
Head coach Mike McKeever believes his Ballyclare squad are totally focused on their goal to finish in the top four and claim a place in next seasons All Ireland Junior Cup. They sit in third place with four wins from their opening seven games. He was pleased with his teams performance in their 22 - 10 Junior Cup defeat at Instonians last Sat. The players were excellent with stand out performances from forwards Gary Weatherup and Willie Logan and backs Niall Lawther and Dave Clarke. His team is growing stronger each week with the focus very much on the Dromore match this weekend. The coach is again forced to make changes due to injuries and unavailabilities with returning players challenging for starting places. Competition for places in a number of different positions has forced the coaching team to make several difficult selection decisions. Injury rules out David Chambers with number 8 Michael Rainey unavailable.
Dromore Head coach Jonny Cullen has seen his team slip down to seventh place with two wins from five games. They suffered a 31 - 7 Junior Cup defeat at Omagh last Sat. The trip to the Cloughan on Sat will be difficult against an inform Ballyclare team. The coach has made two changes with Adam McGregor and John Russell replacing Richard McKelvey and TJ Morris.
Cooke v Clogher Valley
The Shaws bridge team have won only one from five league matches this season. Their only win was 35 - 25 win at home to Ards. The talent is in this Cooke squad but they face a Clogher Valley squad determined to win the league this season. They have won four out of their opening five league games and completed impressive back to back wins against Portadown in the Junior Cup and league in the last two weeks. Forwards coach Davy Black has put together a well drilled pack that has dominated their opponents in the set piece. Their centre PC Falconer is ruled out with an injury to be replaced by Allister Trenier with prop Richard Primrose unavailable. Captain David Sharkey will demand nothing less than maximum points from his players as they pursue Instonians and Bangor.
Cooke Head coach Colin Atkinson has assembled a strong playing squad this season. Unfortunately injuries and unavailabilities have disrupted his team selection. The players know they are already in fight with Ards and CIYMS to avoid finishing in the bottom two places. He makes a number of changes with Liam Bennett replacing Niall Brown at hooker and Paul McCullough coming in at prop. Kyle Mitchell returns to the centre after injury.
Portadown v CIYMS
Head coach Richard Hedley was disappointed his team could not match the power of the Clogher Valley forwards in their recent back to back defeats. He concedes the best team won both these two games. His players have aspirations to finish in the top four and qualify for the AIL Junior Cup. They are creating scoring opportunities against the top sides but are squandering these opportunities through their failure to execute behind the scrum. If they are to beat these teams they have to take these chances. He believes there is not alot between the teams in Q 1. Second row Willie Graham suffered a fractured finger against Clogher Valley and is replaced by Danny Alexander with the experienced Dairmuid O'Kane restored to the starting xv.
CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry is still searching for his first league win. He knows his team failed to take their scoring opportunities in their 14 - 12 defeat at home to Ballyclare. Both Portadown and CIYMS met at Belmont in the Junior Cup four weeks ago when Portadown won 21 - 10. The coach accepted Portadown took their chances whereas CI didn't. He is confident the squad have the players to start winning matches and move away from the bottom of Q 1. His pack is close to full strength with the backline stronger than it has been. Injury rules out Matty Butler and John Anderson this weekend. Crucial match for both sides.
Ards v Omagh
Ballyclare v Dromore
Cooke v Clogher Valley
Portadown v CIYMS
Kukri Conference League One
Bangor v Ballynahinch seconds
Belfast Harlequins seconds v Instonians
Qualifying League Two
Academy v Lisburn
Both teams occupy the bottom two places in Q 2 with Academy having played two games more. Academy have won one from five matches with Lisburn winning one from three. The pressure is on both coaches Gareth Lynn and Neil Hinds this weekend to win this match. Academy coach Gareth Lynn feels his team underperformed in their 13 - 10 defeat at Donaghadee three weeks ago. He has a full squad at his disposal and welcomes back centre Steven Fawcett and winger Norman Carson along with Mitch Atkins in the forwards.
There was a frustration amongst the Lisburn players they did not perform in their home defeat to Larne in their last league outing. First xv Manager Michael Knowles shares the frustration of the players being inactive over the last two weeks as they look to return to winning ways. Competition is competitive within the playing squad with winger Ross Reaney expected to return.
Carrickfergus v Donaghadee
Four wins from four have Carrick hotly pursuing league leaders Larne. Head coach Neil Hanna is delighted with strength in depth that is coming through at the club with the firsts, seconds and thirds all competing for league honours. His objective was to build from the bottom up to match clubs like Omagh and Ballynahinch. He is pleased with how the season is progressing and again was encouraged by the teams 10 - 0 win over a strong Ballymena seconds team in the Conference league last week. The players are working hard to improve week on week and know they face a strong Dee side this weekend who outmuscled them last season in the Cup. However his players won't shy away from the physical challenge the Dee will present on Sat at the Tom Simms Memorial ground. The players and the coach are looking forward to this match. The coach will select from a full strength squad.
Dee Head coach Graham Cloke has worked miracles with the small playing squad he has at his disposal. Once again he will look to his experienced players, Gareth Gordon, Chris Good, Richard Martindale, Chris Hamilton, Paul Blewitt, Andy Todd and Billy Allen along with the talented Jack Cooke, Andy McGrugan and Jonny Quigg to surprise the promotion favourites on Sat.
Grosvenor v Enniskillen
Head coach Alasdair McKee knows his Grosvenor team will have to raise their performance if they are to get any points from this match. When these two sides met at Mullaghmeen in the Junior Cup in September - Enniskillen ran out comfortable 54 - 0 winners. Grosvenor have only won one from seven league games so far this season. They ran promotion contenders Coleraine very close three weeks ago - giving up a 19 - 7 halftime lead to lose 25 - 19. The talent is there amongst the Grosvenor squad. The coach and the players know only three points separate themselves Academy and Lisburn in the bottom three places. Injuries and unavilabilities rule out Andrew Kelly, John Lutton, Pearse Jamison, Zach Smyth and Dave Atkinson with Mark Rainey, Chris Elliott and Matthew Simpson stepping up.
Enniskillen Head coach Norman Richmond is disappointed that his team have not played for the last three weeks. He is worried the players inactivity and how they respond at Grosvenor will impact on their performance. Out half Nick Finlay is unavailable with the pack unchanged. This match is the first of six league games the team play before the end of December including two home games against the top two Larne and Carrickfergus. The team sit in seventh place having won two from three league games played.
Larne v Coleraine
Probably the outstanding match being played in the Qualifying leagues this weekend. Current league leaders Larne playing promotion contenders Coleraine at the Glynn. Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan knows his teams promotion credentials will be tested in the coming weeks as they play Coleraine and Enniskillen. His team is very much a mixture of youth and experience lead by Captain Ryan Garrett and number 8 Eddie Hunter along with the talented former under 19 players Phil Andrews, Jordan Burns, Luke Burford and Craig Gibson.
Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd knows his players have to step up this weekend if they are to remain promotion challengers. He has an experienced and talented backline that will need his forwards to provide a plentiful supply of ball to win this match. This game has all the ingredients for a high scoring contest. Coleraine had to dig deep to turn around a 19 -7 deficit against Grosvenor to win 25 - 19 three weeks ago.
Academy v Lisburn
Carrickfergus v Donaghadee
Grosvenor v Enniskillen
Larne v Coleraine
Kukri Conference League Two
Banbridge seconds v Ballymoney
Malone seconds v Randalstown
Queens Uni seconds v Ballymena seconds
Qualifying League Three
BHSFP v UUC
Civil Service v PSNI
Letterkenny v Holywood
Limavady v Ophir
Lurgan v Monaghan
Newry v Strabane
First Trust Senior Cup Semi-Finals
Ballymena v Queens Uni
The focus for both both teams may be on their AIL ambitions this season. Coaches Andy Graham and Bob Young are aware what it means for their players to contest the First Trust Senior Cup Final at the Kingspan stadium on Wed 9th December. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham will be missing 1st xv players Rodger McBurney, Callum Patterson, John Andrews, Bronson Ross, Alan O'Connor, Clive Ross, Stephen Mulholland, Michael Lagan and Andrew McGrath who are included in the Ulster A squad for the British & Irish Cup match against Bristol at the Kingspan Stadium tonight with a 7.30pm kick off. Both Michael Lagan and Andrew McGrath may start for Ballymena on Sat depending on their game time tomorrow night with Ulster A.
The Ballymena team is expected to be front row of Chris Allen, Adam McBurney and Chris Cundell with Ian Caldwell and Conor Smyth in the second row. The back row will include Michael Shiels, Willy McKay and Matty Rea who was training with Ulster A squad. Glen Baillie continues at scrum half with either Richie McMaster or Andrew McGrath at out half. Paddy James renews his centre partnership with Marty Irwin after several games on the seconds. James Beattie will start at full back with Jordan Foster and Jonny Rossborough on the wings. The bench will include James Taggart, Lewis McClinton, David Whann and either Richie McMaster/Andrew McGrath plus one other. The coach is resting Marty Irwin and Matthew Harkness with Paddy McGowan continuing his recovery from a knee injury.
Queens will be missing Jonny McPhillips, Robert Lyttle, Alex Thompson and Liam Free who are involved with Ulster A side. The availability of Alex Thompson and Liam Free for Queens on Sat will be dependent on their game time tomorrow night. Both Jake Byrne and Alex Kane are expected to be involved with the Ireland under 19/20 training squads this weekend. Number 8 Nick Timoney is travelling with the Ireland Sevens squad to play in Spain on Sat and Sun.
Head coach Bob Young is pleased that he has had a settled playing squad in recent weeks. The team have three huge AIL games coming up against Malone and Banbridge before Xmas that will have a bearing on their season. The cup match against Ballymena will get some players valuable game time. Saturday's Cup match will be tough - against one of the form teams in club rugby.
Head coach Andy Graham recognises the importance of the Cup to the Club and the team. Queens have a more settled team than Ballymena for this weekend. The Ballymena players are expecting a physical/ hard game with the dangerous Queens threequarters posing a real threat. He is pleased with the attitude of the players in recent weeks with the club players stepping up to the mark in the 15 - 14 win at Buccaneers last sat night.
Belfast Harlequins v Ballynahinch
Both teams are bottom of Div 1A and B after losing their opening seven AIL matches. The First Trust Senior Cup represents an opportunity for the teams and players to secure a Cup final place before the AIL league resumes on the 28th November with Hinch looking to retain the Cup after defeating Malone in last seasons final. Ballynahinch will be missing their Ulster players Sam Windsor, Paul Rowley, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson and Conor Joyce who are involved with the Ulster A squad tomorrow night. Game time tomorrow night will determine whether Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson and Conor Joyce can play for Ballynahinch on Sat. Some encouraging news for Head coach Derek Suffern is the return of John Donnan and David McGuigan from injury with Lorcan Dow unavailable. The Hinch starting team is - front row of Craig Trenier, Kyle McCall, Kelvin Hamilton with James Simpson and John Donnan in the second row. David McGuigan, Captain Paul Pritchard and Thomas Donnan make up the back row. Chris Gibson starts at scrum half with James McBriar at out half. Will Stewart and Stuart Morrow make up the centre pairing with Adam Craig at full back and Robin Harte and Davy Nicholson starting on the wings. With second row John Donnan restricted to forty minutes of action Jonny Madden is expected to take over in the second half. No decision has been made on the Hinch bench with options to include Richard Reaney, Manihera Eden, Chris Quinn, Andrew Harper, Jonny Blair and Keith Dickson. Injury continues to rule out number 8 Michael Graham.
Belfast Harlequins are expected to include Ulster players Conor Young and Frankie Taggart along with Ulster under 20 players Matthew McDowell and Matthew Fisher. Injuries and unavailabilities limit the rotation of the playing squad for Head coach Adam Larkin. Director of Rugby DC Gillespie views this Cup semi final as another big challenge for his team and players on Sat, but one the players are looking forward to. The pressure of the AIL is off the team for the next couple of weeks. Ballynahinch are a very good Div 1A team and are certainly better than their league position suggests - so it's another big challenge for his Quins team. The team and the players are looking for a big improvement from last week when our performance was well below what we are capable of - despite the many injuries we still have.
Ballymena v Queens Uni
Belfast Harlequins v Ballynahinch
Qualifying League One
Ards V Omagh
Two teams with different ambitions riding on the outcome of this match. Omagh believe they have the playing resources to mount a top four challenge after an indifferent start to their league campaign. Three consecutive wins have moved the team into sixth place along with a Junior Cup semi final against Instonians. Head coach Philip Marshall had his team selection disrupted during the opening weeks of the season with injuries to his key back row players Andrew Ferguson, Richard Harpur and Stuart Allen. Their replacements James Catterson, Aaron Shortt and Dean Porter have cemented their starting places with consistent performances. Both Ferguson and Harpur have returned to playing action with the second xv as they fight to secure their 1st xv place. Stuart Allen continues to follow concussion protocols and is joined by centre Alan Heaney and winger Stephen McLaine with concussion injuries. Both Matty Eccles and Scott Elliott move up from the seconds to take their place in the 1st xv squad for sat.
Ards have lost their opening five league matches and sit in nineth place with four points - three ahead of bottom place CIYMS. Head coach David Irwin knows his team need to start picking up league points with crucial games coming up before Xmas.
Ballyclare v Dromore
Head coach Mike McKeever believes his Ballyclare squad are totally focused on their goal to finish in the top four and claim a place in next seasons All Ireland Junior Cup. They sit in third place with four wins from their opening seven games. He was pleased with his teams performance in their 22 - 10 Junior Cup defeat at Instonians last Sat. The players were excellent with stand out performances from forwards Gary Weatherup and Willie Logan and backs Niall Lawther and Dave Clarke. His team is growing stronger each week with the focus very much on the Dromore match this weekend. The coach is again forced to make changes due to injuries and unavailabilities with returning players challenging for starting places. Competition for places in a number of different positions has forced the coaching team to make several difficult selection decisions. Injury rules out David Chambers with number 8 Michael Rainey unavailable.
Dromore Head coach Jonny Cullen has seen his team slip down to seventh place with two wins from five games. They suffered a 31 - 7 Junior Cup defeat at Omagh last Sat. The trip to the Cloughan on Sat will be difficult against an inform Ballyclare team. The coach has made two changes with Adam McGregor and John Russell replacing Richard McKelvey and TJ Morris.
Cooke v Clogher Valley
The Shaws bridge team have won only one from five league matches this season. Their only win was 35 - 25 win at home to Ards. The talent is in this Cooke squad but they face a Clogher Valley squad determined to win the league this season. They have won four out of their opening five league games and completed impressive back to back wins against Portadown in the Junior Cup and league in the last two weeks. Forwards coach Davy Black has put together a well drilled pack that has dominated their opponents in the set piece. Their centre PC Falconer is ruled out with an injury to be replaced by Allister Trenier with prop Richard Primrose unavailable. Captain David Sharkey will demand nothing less than maximum points from his players as they pursue Instonians and Bangor.
Cooke Head coach Colin Atkinson has assembled a strong playing squad this season. Unfortunately injuries and unavailabilities have disrupted his team selection. The players know they are already in fight with Ards and CIYMS to avoid finishing in the bottom two places. He makes a number of changes with Liam Bennett replacing Niall Brown at hooker and Paul McCullough coming in at prop. Kyle Mitchell returns to the centre after injury.
Portadown v CIYMS
Head coach Richard Hedley was disappointed his team could not match the power of the Clogher Valley forwards in their recent back to back defeats. He concedes the best team won both these two games. His players have aspirations to finish in the top four and qualify for the AIL Junior Cup. They are creating scoring opportunities against the top sides but are squandering these opportunities through their failure to execute behind the scrum. If they are to beat these teams they have to take these chances. He believes there is not alot between the teams in Q 1. Second row Willie Graham suffered a fractured finger against Clogher Valley and is replaced by Danny Alexander with the experienced Dairmuid O'Kane restored to the starting xv.
CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry is still searching for his first league win. He knows his team failed to take their scoring opportunities in their 14 - 12 defeat at home to Ballyclare. Both Portadown and CIYMS met at Belmont in the Junior Cup four weeks ago when Portadown won 21 - 10. The coach accepted Portadown took their chances whereas CI didn't. He is confident the squad have the players to start winning matches and move away from the bottom of Q 1. His pack is close to full strength with the backline stronger than it has been. Injury rules out Matty Butler and John Anderson this weekend. Crucial match for both sides.
Ards v Omagh
Ballyclare v Dromore
Cooke v Clogher Valley
Portadown v CIYMS
Kukri Conference League One
Bangor v Ballynahinch seconds
Belfast Harlequins seconds v Instonians
Qualifying League Two
Academy v Lisburn
Both teams occupy the bottom two places in Q 2 with Academy having played two games more. Academy have won one from five matches with Lisburn winning one from three. The pressure is on both coaches Gareth Lynn and Neil Hinds this weekend to win this match. Academy coach Gareth Lynn feels his team underperformed in their 13 - 10 defeat at Donaghadee three weeks ago. He has a full squad at his disposal and welcomes back centre Steven Fawcett and winger Norman Carson along with Mitch Atkins in the forwards.
There was a frustration amongst the Lisburn players they did not perform in their home defeat to Larne in their last league outing. First xv Manager Michael Knowles shares the frustration of the players being inactive over the last two weeks as they look to return to winning ways. Competition is competitive within the playing squad with winger Ross Reaney expected to return.
Carrickfergus v Donaghadee
Four wins from four have Carrick hotly pursuing league leaders Larne. Head coach Neil Hanna is delighted with strength in depth that is coming through at the club with the firsts, seconds and thirds all competing for league honours. His objective was to build from the bottom up to match clubs like Omagh and Ballynahinch. He is pleased with how the season is progressing and again was encouraged by the teams 10 - 0 win over a strong Ballymena seconds team in the Conference league last week. The players are working hard to improve week on week and know they face a strong Dee side this weekend who outmuscled them last season in the Cup. However his players won't shy away from the physical challenge the Dee will present on Sat at the Tom Simms Memorial ground. The players and the coach are looking forward to this match. The coach will select from a full strength squad.
Dee Head coach Graham Cloke has worked miracles with the small playing squad he has at his disposal. Once again he will look to his experienced players, Gareth Gordon, Chris Good, Richard Martindale, Chris Hamilton, Paul Blewitt, Andy Todd and Billy Allen along with the talented Jack Cooke, Andy McGrugan and Jonny Quigg to surprise the promotion favourites on Sat.
Grosvenor v Enniskillen
Head coach Alasdair McKee knows his Grosvenor team will have to raise their performance if they are to get any points from this match. When these two sides met at Mullaghmeen in the Junior Cup in September - Enniskillen ran out comfortable 54 - 0 winners. Grosvenor have only won one from seven league games so far this season. They ran promotion contenders Coleraine very close three weeks ago - giving up a 19 - 7 halftime lead to lose 25 - 19. The talent is there amongst the Grosvenor squad. The coach and the players know only three points separate themselves Academy and Lisburn in the bottom three places. Injuries and unavilabilities rule out Andrew Kelly, John Lutton, Pearse Jamison, Zach Smyth and Dave Atkinson with Mark Rainey, Chris Elliott and Matthew Simpson stepping up.
Enniskillen Head coach Norman Richmond is disappointed that his team have not played for the last three weeks. He is worried the players inactivity and how they respond at Grosvenor will impact on their performance. Out half Nick Finlay is unavailable with the pack unchanged. This match is the first of six league games the team play before the end of December including two home games against the top two Larne and Carrickfergus. The team sit in seventh place having won two from three league games played.
Larne v Coleraine
Probably the outstanding match being played in the Qualifying leagues this weekend. Current league leaders Larne playing promotion contenders Coleraine at the Glynn. Larne Head coach Ryan Milligan knows his teams promotion credentials will be tested in the coming weeks as they play Coleraine and Enniskillen. His team is very much a mixture of youth and experience lead by Captain Ryan Garrett and number 8 Eddie Hunter along with the talented former under 19 players Phil Andrews, Jordan Burns, Luke Burford and Craig Gibson.
Coleraine Head coach Richard Boyd knows his players have to step up this weekend if they are to remain promotion challengers. He has an experienced and talented backline that will need his forwards to provide a plentiful supply of ball to win this match. This game has all the ingredients for a high scoring contest. Coleraine had to dig deep to turn around a 19 -7 deficit against Grosvenor to win 25 - 19 three weeks ago.
Academy v Lisburn
Carrickfergus v Donaghadee
Grosvenor v Enniskillen
Larne v Coleraine
Kukri Conference League Two
Banbridge seconds v Ballymoney
Malone seconds v Randalstown
Queens Uni seconds v Ballymena seconds
Qualifying League Three
BHSFP v UUC
Civil Service v PSNI
Letterkenny v Holywood
Limavady v Ophir
Lurgan v Monaghan
Newry v Strabane