Ballyclare v Bangor
The meeting of the third and fourth placed teams in this league at the Cloughan on Saturday is an eagerly awaited contest this weekend. Bangor were surprised by newly promoted Ballyclare in their opening league match in August when the 'White Hare' squad won 16-8 at Upritchard Park. Can Chris Campbell and his squad complete the double over the much fancied North Down team. Bangor have bounced back after a slow league start, qualifying for the final of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup. Bangor coaches Rupert Preston and Jason Morgan have successfully rotated their large playing squad to great effect in recent weeks as they push to be competitive in all competitions. Ballyclare twice came back from being behind to Portadown last Sat to score two tries in the final quarter to win 18-12. Expect one of the biggest crowds at a Junior club venue for this eagerly anticipated match.
CIYMS v Donaghadee
An interesting fixture this weekend between these two sides. Despite a valiant effort in Dundalk last Saturday, CIYMS failed to make the final of the AIL Junior Cup losing out to an injury time penalty to lose 27-25. It was a wonderful effort by the Belmont side to come back from a 24-5 half time deficit to lead 25-24 with the game on the blow. Losing their inspirational Kiwi Sam Baker to injury early in the match was a big blow as his kicking was missed with CI failing to convert three conversions and a penalty during the game. Coach Gareth Fry has to lift his players as much to the surprise of the rugby community, CIYMS were expected to be competing for the league title this season. They sit eleven points behind fourth placed Ballyclare in seventh place with one game in hand. Donaghadee upset the form book four weeks ago by defeating their Belfast opponents 34-15 at Donaldson Park. Player coach Paul McKenzie expected his Dee side to push on, only to lose their last two league games to Dromore and Ballymoney at home last sat. They sit bottom of the league alongside Ballymoney and a further five points adrift of Cooke. CIYMS are ten points ahead of the Dee and Ballymoney and cannot afford to lose this match. Dee recall Richard Martindale and Kyle Morrow to the pack with the injured Chris Hamilton still unavailable. Adam Alexander replaces the injured Ryan Irvine in the backs.
Clogher Valley v Ballymoney
It has been a disappointing two weeks for the Fivemiletown based club, losing to Bangor 9-6 in the AIL Junior Cup semi final and 19-17 to Instonians in the league last Saturday. With the Powerade Towns Cup commencing on 3rd January and a top four place at stake, you can expect coaches Davy Black and Glen Kyle to see their players bounce back against Ballymoney at the Cran this weekend. On paper you would say a straight forward win for the County Tyrone side.
Ballymoney deservedly defeat Donaghadee 24-8 last Saturday and you can see the influence coach Jason Taggart has had on rebuilding this team as they pushed Instonians and Bangor all the way before losing these games.
Clogher Valley will be without the injured captain, Aaron Best, Jack Stott, David Dunlop and Phil Moore with both Alastair Trenier and Philip Holme unavailable. David Sharkey continues as captain. Mark Ellis and Paul Armstrong form a new half back pairing at 9 and 10. Nathan Orr replaces Stott in the centre. Matty Robinson retains his place in the second row after a strong performance against Instonians with the versatile Eugene McKenna on the bench along with debutant Stephen McWilliams. Ballymoney are expected to field the same squad with their flying winger Davy Rea one player to watch. When these two sides met at Kilraughts Road in the opening league match, Clogher Valley ran out comfortable 38-0 winners. Don't be surprised if the County Antrim side upset the form book in this game.
Cooke v Dromore
Coach Colin Atkinson was disappointed with his Cooke side after letting slip a big lead at Bangor last Saturday only to concede two late tries to lose 29-20. His squad may have picked up injuries to key players Graham Jewhurst, Andrew Quigley, Liam Bennett, Andrew Pollack, Adam McIIwaine and Philip Cartmill, but they have shown they have young developing talent in Andrew Hanna and Gareth Robinson coming through. Dromore may be favourites after a winning run that has seen them move into sixth place four points behind fourth place Ballyclare with a game in hand. They have real ambitions to qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. The addition of Lee Steenson, Marty Follis and Robert Greer to the playing squad this season has strengthened the playing options available to coach Graham Cloke. A fascinating contest at Shawsbridge. Cooke have shown they are a quality side with narrow defeats to Instonians, Bangor and Clogher Valley. Difficult game to call. When the two sides met at Barben Hill in August, Dromore were winners by 25-13.
Portadown v Instonians
What a contest we have at Chambers Park this weekend. Fifth place Portadown have ambitions to once again qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup. Coach Richard Hedley was disappointed his side, twice allowed leads to slip at Ballyclare after tries from Andrew Chambers and Ollie Montells. In the final quarter they conceded two tries to lose 18-12. He knows he is in a period of transition at the mid-Ulster club. Entering his fifth season in charge alongside Ciaran O'Kane, Clive Bowles and Neill Irwin, the coach is confident his playing squad are moving in the right direction after introducing several members of their successful U19 squad to senior rugby this season as they challenge for a top four placing and hopefully a good run in the Powerade Towns Cup.
Silverware is something that has eluded the Chambers Park club during his tenure. Hedley's squad has talent with Mark Neilly, Jordan Elliott, Peter Lamb, Mark Henderson and Rab Reid competing for front row places with Prop Matthew Wilson remaining on the injured list. The ever present Willy Graham starts in the second row with John Graham and James Carleton his second row partners. No where is competition more competitive than the backrow with Gareth McCoy, James Carleton, Aaron Abraham and Diarmuid O'Kane combining youth and experience. The coach will welcome back the returning Gary Hall who will start on the bench against Instonians.
New scrumhalf Brian Forristal from Navan has been a welcome addition this season. He remains on the injured list at present with Neil Irwin stepping up in his absence. The evergreen Barry Gribben remains an option for the coach. Chris Cousens continues to impress at 10. The coach has been disappointed that a knee injury has ruled out exciting young winger Louis Pearson for the season. In the threequarters he looks to Andrew Chambers and Rab Reid Hooker/Centre to cover the absence of Pearson with the talented Ryan Purvis at fullback. Captain and centre Jonny Holden will be unavailable this weekend with Ollie Montels and another of their exciting youth players Robert Gacek facing the Instonians backline. The introduction of Jordan Elliott, Aaron Abraham, Ryan Purvis, Robert Gacek and Louis Pearson from their U19s shows the benefit of clubs having in place a successful under age structure.
Instonians coach Wiliam Leacock continues his unbeaten run with his side having to dig deep in recent weeks to defeat Clogher Valley, Omagh and Ballymoney. He is expecting another difficult match despite a comfortable 27-3 win at Shaw’s Bridge in August over Portadown. Scrumhalf Matthew Keane was his side’s match winner over Clogher Valley last Saturday, scoring two late tries. Back row Robert Whitten has now added a Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup medal to the First Trust Senior Cup medal he won with Queen’s last season.
ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE
Ards v Belfast Harlequins
Armagh v Rainey OB
Ballynahinch V Queens
Banbridge v Ballymena
City of Derry v Malone