This weekend the focus is on domestic cup competitions with the Quarter-Finals of the RiverRock Towns Cup and McCrea Cup. Here is our preview of the games...
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
Div 1B: Banbridge completed the double over neighbours Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park coming back from 14 – 0 down to score four tries and win 29 – 14. A result that raised many eyebrows in club houses across Ulster. Both these Ulster sides along with Shannon are separated by one point with four games remaining in their efforts to secure promotion to Div 1A next season. Ballymena picked up a bonus point win in defeating visitors Naas 26 – 8 at Eaton Park to move away from 9th place. Their final three games are against the other three sides in the bottom four.
Div 2A: There were excellent wins for Malone at home to Blackrock College and City of Armagh away to Nenagh Ormond with Queens Uni letting slip a 21 – 3 lead to lose 32 – 26 at home to Galwegians. Malone have opened up a 12 point lead on 2nd place Highfield. City of Armagh continue to battle it out with 4th place Cashel for a play off place. Queen find themselves in 6th place eight points ahead of 9th place Greystones as they look to reverse a six match losing run in the UBL.
Div 2B: Rainey OB hold on to 2nd place eight points behind leaders Old Crescent and seven points ahead of 3rd place MU Barnhall. Dungannon have an outside chance of making the playoffs as they look to close the six point advantage of Navan in 4th place. Again Head coach Andy Hughes will be looking his team to bounce back from their 3 match losing losing run in the UBL. Belfast Harlequins lost out to MU Barnhall in a 13 try bonanza at Parsonstown before going down 51 – 34. Not many teams score six tries and still lose a match. As Head coach Nicky Wells said his team will fight for every point going into the remaining games. City of Derry conceded 16 tries in their 104 – 0 defeat away to undefeated league leaders Old Crescent in Limerick.
In 2C: This is the league where a couple of wins you can find yourself at the top of the league or two losses you will find yourself at the wrong end of the table. Thankfully both Bangor and Omagh have maintained their positive start to 2018. Bangor are undefeated in 4 matches and staged a dramatic comeback to defeat league leaders Malahide 18 – 16 at Upritchard Park. Omagh travelled to County Offaly and came away with a crucial win defeating Tullamore 18 – 11. Bangor remain 4th place and Omagh in 5th place with five points separating the top five teams. Round 15 games against Thomond and Sligo will determine whether the Ulster teams will be in the mix for promotion.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Div 1: Ballyclare reduced the deficit of league leaders Instonians to three points after defeating Inst 14 – 9 in an entertaining game played in front of a large crowd at the Cloughan on Saturday. With Ballyclare having a game in hand away to Clogher Valley the pursuit of the league title could come down to bonus points to decide the winners. How crucial will that losing bonus point be to Instonians come the 24th March when the league programme has to be completed. In the meeting of the CIYMS and Dromore at Belmont the East Belfast side ran in seven tries to win 52 – 27. Not many players score 22 of their teams 27 points and end up on a losing side as Dromore scrum half Lee Steenson did. The win moves CIYMS seven points ahead of Dromore who find their 4thplace being threatened by Carrickfergus who moved within three points after their 24 -22 win at Coleraine. Both Cooke and Portadown picked up valuable points as Cooke won 15 – 7 at home to Enniskillen and Portadown defeated Clogher Valley 16 – 10 at Chambers Park. Clogher needed to win and are now 13 x points adrift of 9th place Coleraine. Both Clogher Valley and Coleraine have two games in hand. Coleraine have to travel to Enniskillen and Clogher Valley. The results of these matches will surely decide the teams who will finish in 9th and 10th place.
Div 2: Leaders Grosvenor had their game with Limavady postponed due to a bereavement at the North West club. The focus switched to 2nd place Randalstown and 3rd place Ballymoney. Randalstown scored seven tries in their 41 – 12 win at the PSNI with Ballymoney defeating UUC 26 – 8 at Kilraughts Road. The bonus point picked up by Randalstown moves them five points ahead of Ballymoney with four games remaining. These two teams meet at Kilraughts Road on the 10th March. Academy moved into 4thplace after defeating Ards 23 – 17 at Mallusk. Larne made it back to back wins in defeating Lisburn 26 – 17 at the Glynn to move ahead of Ards into 5th place. Grosvenor have a 13 point lead with a game in hand. The most interesting contest is at the bottom of this league with eight points separating the bottom three teams PSNI, UUC and Lisburn.
This weekend Lisburn meet UUC at Blaris with the return game down for the 14th April. The PSNI have Lisburn and UUC on the 3rd and 10th March.
Div 3: There was no league action at the weekend with the Quarter Finals of the Gordon West Cup taking place. Holders Cavan were defeated 35 – 17 by Donaghadee. Lurgan completed back to back wins over Strabane winning 24 – 15. Monaghan travelled to Newry and won 29 – 5. The Donegal Town v Holywood game was postponed due to a water logged pitch.
The Draw has been made for the semi finals of the Gordon West Cup:
Monaghan v Lurgan
Donaghadee v Donegal Town / Holywood
Ties to be played on the 24th March 2018.
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
The Ballyclare v City of Armagh Conference league match was postponed on Tuesday night due to a water logged pitch at the Cloughan. If Ballynahinch seconds defeat Enniskillen on Sat with a bonus point, City of Armagh will need a bonus point win at Ballyclare to win the league title. Defeat for Armagh will see Ballynahinch needing a win/ bonus point win over Portadown to win the league title.
SONI ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP DIV 1
Ballymena v Malone. Thursday 22.2.18. Kick off 7.45PM
ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV League
Ballymena seconds v Omagh seconds. Kick off 1PM
Banbridge seconds v Malone seconds. Played Wednesday 28.2.18. Kick off 7.45PM
RIVERROCK TOWNS CUP QUARTER FINALS
Clogher Valley v City of Armagh seconds
Ballyclare v Limavady
Portadown v Ards
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
Clogher Valley v City of Armagh seconds
Despite their inconsistent league form that has the Fivemiletown side firmly rooted to bottom place in Div 1; when it comes to Cup competitions Clogher Valley have a pedigree that can’t be matched by any other side in recent seasons. They have contested five of the last eight finals, winning three. They showed their form in coming back from a 10 – 0 deficit against Dromore at the Cran three weeks ago to defeat Dromore 25 – 10 in the 2nd Rd of the Towns Cup.
Clogher know they are coming up against an City of Armagh side that reached the final of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup before losing to Ballynahinch seconds. Again the Armagh side surprised all the pundits by defeating Towns Cup holders Ballynahinch seconds 31 – 7 at Ballymacarn Park with the talented Matthew Hooks scoring two of the teams four tries.
Armagh assistant coach Chris Parker: The seconds are in good health for the weekend match with Clogher Valley. Both Michael Hoey and David Spratt are still following the return to play protocols, whilst Josh Kennedy has returned to training last week after a six week layoff through injury with this maybe being a week too early for him. Misi Bogitini will face a late fitness test on Thursday evening and if unavailable his place will be taken by either Luke Crozier, Rauri Karlsen or Shane McKeever. Kyle Faloon and Harry Boyd return to the team after missing the last 2nd xv league game against Banbridge seconds. City of Armagh last won the Towns Cup in 2008 when their 1st xv defeated Portadown 49 – 6 in the final.
City of Armagh seconds and Clogher Valley have already met this season drawing 18 – 18 at the Palace Grounds on 4.11.17 in Conference league 1.
Ballyclare v Limavady
Head coach Mike McKeever was delighted with the 14 - 9 win by his side over Instonians last Saturday at the Cloughan. It was a very strong performance by the squad from start to finish in front of an excellent crowd of all ages. He was delighted with the turnout who attended and supported the players.
The focus this week moves to the Quarter Finals of the RiverRock Towns Cup with the squad looking to build on their momentum. Ballyclare have been unlucky in home Cup draws with this being the second game the coach has had in a Cup competition in three seasons.
Selection is likely to be similar to recent games with a few decisions to be made on Thursday night. Ballyclare last contested a final in 2013 when they shared the trophy with City of Derry seconds after a 28 – 28 draw.
Limavady Head coach Mark Nicholl is pleased with how his playing squad have turned their season around in the last two months. The credit has to go to the players who have delivered and kept playing rugby.
Ballyclare is an extremely difficult place to win and the fact that they won a top of the table clash last week speak volumes for their side.
The goal for the Limavady squad is to finish the season on a high and the players will go and enjoy this weekend before they return to concentrate on the league next week.
Limavady last contested a final in 2000 when they lost 42 – 11 to Ballymena seconds.
Portadown v Ards
Head coach Richard Hedley has had a difficult season managing injuries and unavailability each week at the club. He lost another prop Matt Davison to injury against Clogher Valley with winger Johnny Burns unavailable this weekend. Both James Wright and Nick Holt return to the squad for the Towns Cup match with Ards on Saturday. He is hoping the rest of the team will be along similar lines with the front row selection to be finalised on Thursday night.
Catching up with Portadown President Ashley Woods several players including Brian Forrestal, Craig Woods, Aaron Morton, Ryan Mulgrew, Mark Mulgrew, Willy Graham, Peter Lamb and Matthew Wilson have been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury with the coaches hoping to have Mark Adamson back for the league match with Ballyclare. Several new faces on the Portadown 1st xv this season include Johnny Burns, Taylor Tweedie and Jordan Taylor who have come through the clubs Youth Section and Portadown College. Like many other clubs there have been challenges with establishing their under 14s and under 18s. The club have arranged friendlies for the Under 18s which have gone well and entered a team in the Knutty Krust competition. One positive piece of news is that the under 16s have won their league section and have progressed to the playoffs.
The remaining league fixtures are very difficult with games at home to Ballyclare and Instonians with Carrickfergus away. He believes that the 1st xv are safe from the automatic relegation place however they could still end up in the playoff place with the team that finishes 2nd in Div 2. The teams around Portadown have each other to play with them taking points of one another. The focus for Portadown this week is the Towns Cup Quarter Final with Ards. They have improved since Portadown defeated them in the Junior Cup back in October.
The 1st xv are not where we would like them to be but the 2nds have consolidated their place in Provincial league 1 after successive promotions. The 3rds are doing well and have made the semi finals of the Forster Cup. Both these teams are introducing young players to the Senior club and along with the 4th xv are doing an excellent job. The next month will be difficult but ultimately potentially very rewarding for the club.
Ards coach John West has a full squad to select from this week. Both he and Scott Young will not finalise their selection until Thursday night. As he said they will have several difficult calls to make.
Portadown and Ards have already met in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup this season with Portadown winning 20 – 0 at Chambers Park. Portadown last contested a final in 2008 when they lost 49 -6 to City of Armagh 1st xv. Ards last won the Towns Cup in 2003 defeating Coleraine 27 – 20.
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
After losing six league games in a row Carrickfergus have bounced back to win their last three games including their 2nd Rd Cup win at Strabane. They are 5th in Div 1 and can make 4th place and a place in the AIL Junior Cup next season. The Carrick side have one of the strongest packs in club rugby with their front five picking up another two penalty tries against Coleraine. For Randalstown and their players they progressed to the quarter finals after defeating Coleraine. They are chasing 2nd place in Div 2 along with Ballymoney and a potential place in Div 1 next season. Randalstown have shown in recent seasons they can compete with the top Junior clubs after pushing Instonians close in their 27 – 20 Junior Cup defeat at Shaws Bridge last season. Coaches Davy Scott and Michael Rainey will ensure their Carrick team are totally focused with the opportunity for the players to make the last four of the Towns Cup.
Randalstown Head coach Gary Longwell: Carrickfergus have an excellent squad and look capable of finishing in the top four of Div 1 which would be a fantastic achievement given the quality of the teams in their league.
McCREA CUP QUARTER FINALS
Queens Uni seconds v Grosvenor
PSNI v Bye
Malone seconds v Academy
Cooke v CIYMS
Queens Uni v Grosvenor
Grosvenor Head coach Robert Ford would love to see his players get a good run in the McCrea Cup. As a former coach at Queens he is well aware how difficult opponents Queens Uni seconds will be at the Dub.
Grosvenor are likely to be without Stuart McIIwaine, Ben Coard and Matthew Cahoon with Michael Boyd, Peter Davison, and James Greer facing late fitness tests. Pearce Jamison will return to the 1st xv squad.
Grosvenor lost to Queens in pre season and coach Ford knows just how difficult a task his team have this weekend especially as Queens 1xt xv have no game.
Malone seconds v Academy
Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn was delighted with the win on Saturday against Ards. It was very much needed after losing league games to UUC and Lisburn.
Malone seconds and Academy have already met in Conference league 2 this season with Malone winning 38 – 17 at Mallusk on the 18.11.17
Cooke v CIYMS
Head coach Colin Atkinson was delighted with his Cooke team winning their vital league match against Enniskillen 15 – 7 last Sat. His team was close to full strength and this had been a factor in recent defeats when their lack of strength in depth has been exposed. Unfortunately injuries in the Enniskillen game to winger Andy Pollock and Jonny Walsh will rule these players out for several weeks.
For the match with their Belfast neighbours CIYMS the coach is able to add Deaglan McErlean, Matthew Crothers, Colm Cregan and Ian Anderson to his squad. He acknowledges CI are a team playing with great confidence with his players needing to be at their best this week.
It was a very pleasing result for CI coach Gareth Fry and his players against Dromore last week. Dromore had been a bit of a bogey team over the last two seasons. The game was very close in the first half with the two teams throwing the ball about. In the second half CI started putting a few more phases together to stretch their lead. Fair play to Dromore they kept playing right to the end and were unlucky not to get a bonus point.
Cooke this week will be tough. The coach has a lot of unavailability with fringe players being given the chance to start. Again selection will not be finalised until Thursday night.
Both CIYMS and Cooke have already met in the league with CIYMS winning 28 – 8 at Belmont on 16.12.17. The return league fixture takes place at Shaws Bridge on the 10thMarch.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBYCHAMP/CONFERENCE DIV 1
Ballynahinch seconds v Enniskillen
Ballynahinch have already played Enniskillen at home in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup winning 30 – 7 on the 21.10.17.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
Lisburn v UUC
Director of Rugby Michael Knowles was disappointed his Lisburn team did not pick up any league points in their defeats against Larne and Limavady despite scoring three tries in each game. The match at the Blaris on Saturday against UUC is the biggest game of the season to date for Lisburn.
Selection will be finalised on Thursday night with the coaches hoping to have Pete Graham, Chris Cummings, Willi Lil Tee, Ryan Duddy and David Gilkinson available for inclusion in the starting xv.
This is the first meeting between the two teams in the league this season as the previously arranged games had to be postponed. The return fixture between the two sides will take place on the 14th April.
Preview compiled by George Millar.
ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
Div 1B: Banbridge completed the double over neighbours Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park coming back from 14 – 0 down to score four tries and win 29 – 14. A result that raised many eyebrows in club houses across Ulster. Both these Ulster sides along with Shannon are separated by one point with four games remaining in their efforts to secure promotion to Div 1A next season. Ballymena picked up a bonus point win in defeating visitors Naas 26 – 8 at Eaton Park to move away from 9th place. Their final three games are against the other three sides in the bottom four.
Div 2A: There were excellent wins for Malone at home to Blackrock College and City of Armagh away to Nenagh Ormond with Queens Uni letting slip a 21 – 3 lead to lose 32 – 26 at home to Galwegians. Malone have opened up a 12 point lead on 2nd place Highfield. City of Armagh continue to battle it out with 4th place Cashel for a play off place. Queen find themselves in 6th place eight points ahead of 9th place Greystones as they look to reverse a six match losing run in the UBL.
Div 2B: Rainey OB hold on to 2nd place eight points behind leaders Old Crescent and seven points ahead of 3rd place MU Barnhall. Dungannon have an outside chance of making the playoffs as they look to close the six point advantage of Navan in 4th place. Again Head coach Andy Hughes will be looking his team to bounce back from their 3 match losing losing run in the UBL. Belfast Harlequins lost out to MU Barnhall in a 13 try bonanza at Parsonstown before going down 51 – 34. Not many teams score six tries and still lose a match. As Head coach Nicky Wells said his team will fight for every point going into the remaining games. City of Derry conceded 16 tries in their 104 – 0 defeat away to undefeated league leaders Old Crescent in Limerick.
In 2C: This is the league where a couple of wins you can find yourself at the top of the league or two losses you will find yourself at the wrong end of the table. Thankfully both Bangor and Omagh have maintained their positive start to 2018. Bangor are undefeated in 4 matches and staged a dramatic comeback to defeat league leaders Malahide 18 – 16 at Upritchard Park. Omagh travelled to County Offaly and came away with a crucial win defeating Tullamore 18 – 11. Bangor remain 4th place and Omagh in 5th place with five points separating the top five teams. Round 15 games against Thomond and Sligo will determine whether the Ulster teams will be in the mix for promotion.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Div 1: Ballyclare reduced the deficit of league leaders Instonians to three points after defeating Inst 14 – 9 in an entertaining game played in front of a large crowd at the Cloughan on Saturday. With Ballyclare having a game in hand away to Clogher Valley the pursuit of the league title could come down to bonus points to decide the winners. How crucial will that losing bonus point be to Instonians come the 24th March when the league programme has to be completed. In the meeting of the CIYMS and Dromore at Belmont the East Belfast side ran in seven tries to win 52 – 27. Not many players score 22 of their teams 27 points and end up on a losing side as Dromore scrum half Lee Steenson did. The win moves CIYMS seven points ahead of Dromore who find their 4thplace being threatened by Carrickfergus who moved within three points after their 24 -22 win at Coleraine. Both Cooke and Portadown picked up valuable points as Cooke won 15 – 7 at home to Enniskillen and Portadown defeated Clogher Valley 16 – 10 at Chambers Park. Clogher needed to win and are now 13 x points adrift of 9th place Coleraine. Both Clogher Valley and Coleraine have two games in hand. Coleraine have to travel to Enniskillen and Clogher Valley. The results of these matches will surely decide the teams who will finish in 9th and 10th place.
Div 2: Leaders Grosvenor had their game with Limavady postponed due to a bereavement at the North West club. The focus switched to 2nd place Randalstown and 3rd place Ballymoney. Randalstown scored seven tries in their 41 – 12 win at the PSNI with Ballymoney defeating UUC 26 – 8 at Kilraughts Road. The bonus point picked up by Randalstown moves them five points ahead of Ballymoney with four games remaining. These two teams meet at Kilraughts Road on the 10th March. Academy moved into 4thplace after defeating Ards 23 – 17 at Mallusk. Larne made it back to back wins in defeating Lisburn 26 – 17 at the Glynn to move ahead of Ards into 5th place. Grosvenor have a 13 point lead with a game in hand. The most interesting contest is at the bottom of this league with eight points separating the bottom three teams PSNI, UUC and Lisburn.
This weekend Lisburn meet UUC at Blaris with the return game down for the 14th April. The PSNI have Lisburn and UUC on the 3rd and 10th March.
Div 3: There was no league action at the weekend with the Quarter Finals of the Gordon West Cup taking place. Holders Cavan were defeated 35 – 17 by Donaghadee. Lurgan completed back to back wins over Strabane winning 24 – 15. Monaghan travelled to Newry and won 29 – 5. The Donegal Town v Holywood game was postponed due to a water logged pitch.
The Draw has been made for the semi finals of the Gordon West Cup:
Monaghan v Lurgan
Donaghadee v Donegal Town / Holywood
Ties to be played on the 24th March 2018.
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
The Ballyclare v City of Armagh Conference league match was postponed on Tuesday night due to a water logged pitch at the Cloughan. If Ballynahinch seconds defeat Enniskillen on Sat with a bonus point, City of Armagh will need a bonus point win at Ballyclare to win the league title. Defeat for Armagh will see Ballynahinch needing a win/ bonus point win over Portadown to win the league title.
SONI ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP DIV 1
Ballymena v Malone. Thursday 22.2.18. Kick off 7.45PM
ULSTER RUGBY PREMIERSHIP 2ND XV League
Ballymena seconds v Omagh seconds. Kick off 1PM
Banbridge seconds v Malone seconds. Played Wednesday 28.2.18. Kick off 7.45PM
RIVERROCK TOWNS CUP QUARTER FINALS
Clogher Valley v City of Armagh seconds
Ballyclare v Limavady
Portadown v Ards
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
Clogher Valley v City of Armagh seconds
Despite their inconsistent league form that has the Fivemiletown side firmly rooted to bottom place in Div 1; when it comes to Cup competitions Clogher Valley have a pedigree that can’t be matched by any other side in recent seasons. They have contested five of the last eight finals, winning three. They showed their form in coming back from a 10 – 0 deficit against Dromore at the Cran three weeks ago to defeat Dromore 25 – 10 in the 2nd Rd of the Towns Cup.
Clogher know they are coming up against an City of Armagh side that reached the final of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup before losing to Ballynahinch seconds. Again the Armagh side surprised all the pundits by defeating Towns Cup holders Ballynahinch seconds 31 – 7 at Ballymacarn Park with the talented Matthew Hooks scoring two of the teams four tries.
Armagh assistant coach Chris Parker: The seconds are in good health for the weekend match with Clogher Valley. Both Michael Hoey and David Spratt are still following the return to play protocols, whilst Josh Kennedy has returned to training last week after a six week layoff through injury with this maybe being a week too early for him. Misi Bogitini will face a late fitness test on Thursday evening and if unavailable his place will be taken by either Luke Crozier, Rauri Karlsen or Shane McKeever. Kyle Faloon and Harry Boyd return to the team after missing the last 2nd xv league game against Banbridge seconds. City of Armagh last won the Towns Cup in 2008 when their 1st xv defeated Portadown 49 – 6 in the final.
City of Armagh seconds and Clogher Valley have already met this season drawing 18 – 18 at the Palace Grounds on 4.11.17 in Conference league 1.
Ballyclare v Limavady
Head coach Mike McKeever was delighted with the 14 - 9 win by his side over Instonians last Saturday at the Cloughan. It was a very strong performance by the squad from start to finish in front of an excellent crowd of all ages. He was delighted with the turnout who attended and supported the players.
The focus this week moves to the Quarter Finals of the RiverRock Towns Cup with the squad looking to build on their momentum. Ballyclare have been unlucky in home Cup draws with this being the second game the coach has had in a Cup competition in three seasons.
Selection is likely to be similar to recent games with a few decisions to be made on Thursday night. Ballyclare last contested a final in 2013 when they shared the trophy with City of Derry seconds after a 28 – 28 draw.
Limavady Head coach Mark Nicholl is pleased with how his playing squad have turned their season around in the last two months. The credit has to go to the players who have delivered and kept playing rugby.
Ballyclare is an extremely difficult place to win and the fact that they won a top of the table clash last week speak volumes for their side.
The goal for the Limavady squad is to finish the season on a high and the players will go and enjoy this weekend before they return to concentrate on the league next week.
Limavady last contested a final in 2000 when they lost 42 – 11 to Ballymena seconds.
Portadown v Ards
Head coach Richard Hedley has had a difficult season managing injuries and unavailability each week at the club. He lost another prop Matt Davison to injury against Clogher Valley with winger Johnny Burns unavailable this weekend. Both James Wright and Nick Holt return to the squad for the Towns Cup match with Ards on Saturday. He is hoping the rest of the team will be along similar lines with the front row selection to be finalised on Thursday night.
Catching up with Portadown President Ashley Woods several players including Brian Forrestal, Craig Woods, Aaron Morton, Ryan Mulgrew, Mark Mulgrew, Willy Graham, Peter Lamb and Matthew Wilson have been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury with the coaches hoping to have Mark Adamson back for the league match with Ballyclare. Several new faces on the Portadown 1st xv this season include Johnny Burns, Taylor Tweedie and Jordan Taylor who have come through the clubs Youth Section and Portadown College. Like many other clubs there have been challenges with establishing their under 14s and under 18s. The club have arranged friendlies for the Under 18s which have gone well and entered a team in the Knutty Krust competition. One positive piece of news is that the under 16s have won their league section and have progressed to the playoffs.
The remaining league fixtures are very difficult with games at home to Ballyclare and Instonians with Carrickfergus away. He believes that the 1st xv are safe from the automatic relegation place however they could still end up in the playoff place with the team that finishes 2nd in Div 2. The teams around Portadown have each other to play with them taking points of one another. The focus for Portadown this week is the Towns Cup Quarter Final with Ards. They have improved since Portadown defeated them in the Junior Cup back in October.
The 1st xv are not where we would like them to be but the 2nds have consolidated their place in Provincial league 1 after successive promotions. The 3rds are doing well and have made the semi finals of the Forster Cup. Both these teams are introducing young players to the Senior club and along with the 4th xv are doing an excellent job. The next month will be difficult but ultimately potentially very rewarding for the club.
Ards coach John West has a full squad to select from this week. Both he and Scott Young will not finalise their selection until Thursday night. As he said they will have several difficult calls to make.
Portadown and Ards have already met in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup this season with Portadown winning 20 – 0 at Chambers Park. Portadown last contested a final in 2008 when they lost 49 -6 to City of Armagh 1st xv. Ards last won the Towns Cup in 2003 defeating Coleraine 27 – 20.
Carrickfergus v Randalstown
After losing six league games in a row Carrickfergus have bounced back to win their last three games including their 2nd Rd Cup win at Strabane. They are 5th in Div 1 and can make 4th place and a place in the AIL Junior Cup next season. The Carrick side have one of the strongest packs in club rugby with their front five picking up another two penalty tries against Coleraine. For Randalstown and their players they progressed to the quarter finals after defeating Coleraine. They are chasing 2nd place in Div 2 along with Ballymoney and a potential place in Div 1 next season. Randalstown have shown in recent seasons they can compete with the top Junior clubs after pushing Instonians close in their 27 – 20 Junior Cup defeat at Shaws Bridge last season. Coaches Davy Scott and Michael Rainey will ensure their Carrick team are totally focused with the opportunity for the players to make the last four of the Towns Cup.
Randalstown Head coach Gary Longwell: Carrickfergus have an excellent squad and look capable of finishing in the top four of Div 1 which would be a fantastic achievement given the quality of the teams in their league.
McCREA CUP QUARTER FINALS
Queens Uni seconds v Grosvenor
PSNI v Bye
Malone seconds v Academy
Cooke v CIYMS
Queens Uni v Grosvenor
Grosvenor Head coach Robert Ford would love to see his players get a good run in the McCrea Cup. As a former coach at Queens he is well aware how difficult opponents Queens Uni seconds will be at the Dub.
Grosvenor are likely to be without Stuart McIIwaine, Ben Coard and Matthew Cahoon with Michael Boyd, Peter Davison, and James Greer facing late fitness tests. Pearce Jamison will return to the 1st xv squad.
Grosvenor lost to Queens in pre season and coach Ford knows just how difficult a task his team have this weekend especially as Queens 1xt xv have no game.
Malone seconds v Academy
Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn was delighted with the win on Saturday against Ards. It was very much needed after losing league games to UUC and Lisburn.
Malone seconds and Academy have already met in Conference league 2 this season with Malone winning 38 – 17 at Mallusk on the 18.11.17
Cooke v CIYMS
Head coach Colin Atkinson was delighted with his Cooke team winning their vital league match against Enniskillen 15 – 7 last Sat. His team was close to full strength and this had been a factor in recent defeats when their lack of strength in depth has been exposed. Unfortunately injuries in the Enniskillen game to winger Andy Pollock and Jonny Walsh will rule these players out for several weeks.
For the match with their Belfast neighbours CIYMS the coach is able to add Deaglan McErlean, Matthew Crothers, Colm Cregan and Ian Anderson to his squad. He acknowledges CI are a team playing with great confidence with his players needing to be at their best this week.
It was a very pleasing result for CI coach Gareth Fry and his players against Dromore last week. Dromore had been a bit of a bogey team over the last two seasons. The game was very close in the first half with the two teams throwing the ball about. In the second half CI started putting a few more phases together to stretch their lead. Fair play to Dromore they kept playing right to the end and were unlucky not to get a bonus point.
Cooke this week will be tough. The coach has a lot of unavailability with fringe players being given the chance to start. Again selection will not be finalised until Thursday night.
Both CIYMS and Cooke have already met in the league with CIYMS winning 28 – 8 at Belmont on 16.12.17. The return league fixture takes place at Shaws Bridge on the 10thMarch.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBYCHAMP/CONFERENCE DIV 1
Ballynahinch seconds v Enniskillen
Ballynahinch have already played Enniskillen at home in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup winning 30 – 7 on the 21.10.17.
KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2
Lisburn v UUC
Director of Rugby Michael Knowles was disappointed his Lisburn team did not pick up any league points in their defeats against Larne and Limavady despite scoring three tries in each game. The match at the Blaris on Saturday against UUC is the biggest game of the season to date for Lisburn.
Selection will be finalised on Thursday night with the coaches hoping to have Pete Graham, Chris Cummings, Willi Lil Tee, Ryan Duddy and David Gilkinson available for inclusion in the starting xv.
This is the first meeting between the two teams in the league this season as the previously arranged games had to be postponed. The return fixture between the two sides will take place on the 14th April.
Preview compiled by George Millar.