Match previews for this weekend's Ulster Bank League and Kukri Qualifying League games. All games are to be played on Saturday 6th December at 2.30pm (unless otherwise stated).
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Ballynahinch (7th) v Terenure College (1st), Ballymacarn Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Ballynahinch: LWLWWLDL; Terenure College: WWWWWWLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballynahinch: Points: Richard Reaney 31; Tries: Ross Adair 4; Terenure College: Points: Mark O'Neill 40; Tries: Kyle McCoy 6
A good benchmark game for both teams as leaders Terenure College look to round off the first half of the 18-match regular season with their eighth win. When they met in Dublin in the opening round, two Ross Adair tries had Ballynahinch leading 20-14 before 'Nure finished strongly to record a 32-20 victory - their top try-scoring number 8 Kyle McCoy was among the scorers that day. British & Irish Cup commitments will rob 'Hinch of some key men, and Terenure - given their resources and form - should take the points in what will be a tough test, nonetheless.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Shannon (9th) v Malone (6th), Coonagh, 2pm
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Shannon: LLLWLLWL; Malone: WLLLWWLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Shannon: Points: Tadhg Bennett 40; Tries: John Shine 3; Malone: Points: Josh Pentland 67; Tries: Rory Campbell 4
Shannon do not have fond memories of their last meeting with Malone. The Cregagh Red Sox scored 17 unanswered points to win 27-7 on Thomond Park's back pitch in April. This season has been up and down for both clubs so far, with Shannon unable to string two wins together and Malone only achieving back-to-back victories on one occasion so far. Tadhg Bennett and Josh Pentland, with 107 points between them, will be priming themselves for a crucial place-kicking duel, while David O'Donovan and Rory Campbell are two players who could light up the respective attacks out wide.
Belfast Harlequins (10th) v Dublin University (4th), Crowley Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Belfast Harlequins: LLWLWLLL; Dublin University: LLLWWWDW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Belfast Harlequins: Points: Eamon Lane 46; Tries: Sean Reidy 3; Dublin University: Points: Jack McDermott 58; Tries: Brian du Toit 3
Belfast Harlequins scored a combined 34 points during their recent trips to Galway to face Corinthians and Galwegians, but lost both ties and failed to garner a bonus point. Although they are performing well in patches, 'Quins seem to be operating currently at a lower level than Dublin University who are on a five-match unbeaten run. Venturing north on the back of a bonus point victory over Corinthians, Trinity are intent on cementing their top-four placing with their regular back row of Pierce Dargan, Brian du Toit and Nick McCarthy in excellent form.
Buccaneers (5th) v Ballymena (2nd), Dubarry Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Buccaneers: LWWLLWDW; Ballymena: WWWWWLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Buccaneers: Points: Alan Gaughan 57; Tries: Jacob Walshe 4; Ballymena: Points: Tim Small 54; Tries: Tim Small 5
Coaches Tony Dolan and Andy Graham will learn plenty about their respective teams in this encounter which pits two serious promotion hunters against each other. Ballymena are faring better at present, lying in second position following a bonus point success against Shannon. Top-scoring winger Tim Small (54 points and 5 tries) and number 8 Stephen Mulholland have been the pick of their players. The injured Alan Gaughan and Diarmuid Higgins are two big absentees for Buccaneers, but they do possess good squad depth and the last-gasp victory at UL Bohs showed their ability to manufacture winning scores when under intense pressure.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Rainey Old Boys (11th) v Bective Rangers (15th), Hatrick Park, 2pm
Rainey enjoyed a high scoring win over Naas in their last outing but they are still in the bottom half of the table. Bective lost the 'Battle of Donnybrook' to add to their woes. That said there is still only three points between these two sides so it could be evenly matched on Saturday.
City of Derry (16th) v Dungannon (13th), Judges Road
A big Ulster derby but at the wrong end of the table for both teams. City of Derry were beaten by Nenagh Ormond in their last outing while the signs of Dungannon's revival were snuffed out by Blackrock in their last game. It will be keenly contested and the result will have a big effect on the red zone.
Skerries (6th) v Banbridge (10th), Holmpatrick
Three wins and three losses for Skerries but they have proved dab hands at picking up bonus points to date. The Bann caused an upset at home to NUIM Barnhall in their last game; if they can do the same again on Saturday it would be a real confidence boost. Home advantage doesn't always tell but it may well do at Holmpatrick on Saturday.
UCC (9th) v Queens (5th), The Mardyke
The students won in a high scoring affair with NUIM Barnhall last Saturday and will hope to repeat the result in this intervarsity clash on Saturday. Queens won at home to Seapoint in their last game but the weekend is a different prospect. It could be a cracking game as both sides have proved adept at picking up try bonuses.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Armagh (7th) v Midleton (5th)
Two defeats have pushed Armagh down to seventh place in the league. With the top four sides competing for a place in the fourth tier of the UBL next season, coach Andy Hughes and Captain Mark Ridell cannot afford any more slip ups. Number 8 Neil Faloon and scrumhalf Harry Doyle will need big performances to get their Armagh side back to winning ways. Midleton are one point and two places ahead of Armagh so it promises to be a close encounter.
Highfield (1st) v Ards (16th)
Bottom side Ards face tough ask against league leaders Highfield in Cork. Once again, coach Stewart Porter has selection problems with player unavailability and injuries. With the bottom two teams being relegated and the third bottom placed side facing a playoff, the Hamilton Park team need to start picking up league points.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballymoney v Instonians
Runaway league leaders Instonians will travel with a full strength squad to Ballymoney on Saturday. The team has no match on the 13th December but then face a programme of three matches in 11 days that will define their season; the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final on the 16th followed by league games against Clogher Valley on the 20th and Portadown on the 27th. Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart was pleased with his team’s performance in their 17-5 home defeat to a strong Bangor team last Saturday. They will require more of the same against a formidable Inst side.
Clogher Valley v Ballyclare
Chasing Clogher Valley have the ideal preparation for their All Ireland Junior Cup semi final at Bangor the following week when a ' hurting' Ballyclare are the visitors to the Cran. Ballyclare are still reeling from their home defeat to Omagh in the Junior Cup. Davy Clarke returns at 12 with David Chambers reinstated in the back row. Bobby Smith continues at 10 in the absence of Niall Lawther. Alastair Trenier is unlucky to lose his place in the back row to the experienced back row trio of Ryan and BJ Wilson and David Sharkey. Once again this match will attract a large crowd to the Fivemiletown venue as these sides occupy 2nd and 3rd places in the league.
CIYMS v Bangor
Belmont will see the meeting of All Ireland Junior Cup semi finalists CIYMS and Bangor. Both clubs need the points to finish in the top four. CIYMS suffered a surprise 34-15 five-try defeat to Donaghadee. No doubt Head Coach Gareth Fry will have worked his players hard this week aiming for a response. CIYMS have a full strength squad available with the coach having to make several key selection decisions. He will welcome back influential centre Jason Gilliland along with back row Ross Hackney, while young props Elliott Boyd and Ricky Greenwood have shown reputations count for nothing. Bangor too have a strong playing pool and will be looking for a confidence boosting win.
Cooke v Portadown
Portadown travel to Shaw’s Bridge to play a Cooke side who have been unlucky to suffer narrow defeats against high flying opposition in recent weeks. There are positives for the coach Colin Atkinson, who has captain Phil Cartmill returning to training after a long term injury. New signing Jonny Dickson (ex Armagh and Queen’s) has also resumed training following a back complaint, along with experienced second row Michael Johnston who was out with pneumonia. Unfortunate injuries will rule out second row Andrew Quigley and scrumhalf Adam McIIwaine for the rest of the season. New signings Brian Mannus and Andrew Pollock have impressed with Pollock, a former Belfast Harlequins winger having scored nine tries to date. Atkinson has also been pleased by the progress made by Andrew and Matthew Hanna since they joined the club from Wellington College. Portadown are looking forward to getting back to playing after a three week break. Forwards coach Ciaran O'Kane is confident his side will have a big say in the outcome of the league. They have a squad that can match any team in this league but must get find more consistent form.
Dromore v Donaghadee
Dromore, on the back of wins over Bangor and Portadown, will be confident they can maintain their winning run when they welcome Donaghadee to Barben Hill. Coach Graham Cloke is familar with the competitiveness of ‘Dee from his days at CI. Once again the half back contest between Lee Steenson and Chris Jenk of Dromore and Ali Lockhart and Paul McKenzie of Donaghadee will excite supporters on both sides. With Andrew Findlater unavailable for the visitors, Matthew Stockton has been added to the playing squad. Player/Coach Paul McKenzie has been indebted to the effort and commitment put in by his Assistant Coach John West and Strength & Conditioning coach Eamon McGratton that has contributed significantly to the turn around in numbers at training during the week. A positive result will give the players confidence for a massive match with Ballymoney at Donaldson Park on 20th December.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Lisburn v Omagh
Omagh continue to fly the flag for Qualifying 2 with their unbeaten run in both the league and Junior Cup. Coach Phil Marshall is well aware of the chasing pack and the importance of bonus points. His team travel to play a Lisburn side struggling for league points. Their coach, Mark Crothers, knows his outfit are only five points ahead of UUC and Holywood with these teams having games in hand. Omagh may well have one eye on their historic Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final against Instonians on Tuesday 16th December at Kingspan Stadium.
Holywood v Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus have made their intentions clear after defeating neighbours Academy 29-11 last Saturday. Despite Omagh being the favourites to win promotion, Carrick, like Coleraine, will remain in pursuit of the Tyrone side this season. Struggling Holywood are also chasing valuable league points, with coach Laurence Kelly having to work with a small playing squad.
Grosvenor v Randalstown
Grosvenor have been plagued by injuries but came up one point short of Coleraine to lose 25-26 last Saturday at Belmont. It was a heroic effort by the East Belfast side who were denied a win by the width of a post keeping a conversion out. Grosvenor are coming off three consecutive home defeats whereas their opponents Randalstown are hoping to make it four wins in a row. Gary Longwell will know his side can take nothing for granted as Alasdair McKee's charges showed real character to turn around a late 26-13 deficit to almost beat Coleraine. Randalstown will only have Dan McGlade unavailable as both David McWhirter and Chris Allen are expected to return after injury. John O'Kane and Neil Foster should retain their places , while second row David Miller is pushing for a starting place.
Academy v UUC
Academy coach Gareth Lynn was disappointed with his team’s performance against Carrickfergus last weekend. Both Kyle Dobbin and Chris Cooper return this week with flying winger Norman Carson unavailable. The students are still looking for their first win after a difficult start to the season but the potential is there to turn their season around.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3
Donegal v Limavady
Lurgan v Larne
Newry v PSNI
Strabane v Ophir
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4
Letterkenny v Civil Service
Londonderry YMCA v Virginia
Monaghan v Cavan