KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballyclare v Donaghadee
Ballyclare coach Chris Campbell knows his team have to get back to winning ways after losing their last four league matches (five in all competitions). After a positive start to their league campaign the wheels have come off after Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and Powerade Towns Cup defeats to Omagh and Carrickfergus respectively.
With five matches remaining their opponents Donaghadee need to win all their matches to remain in Q1. Their 48-0 win over Portadown last Saturday at Donaldson Park has made the impossible, possible as they strive to retain their league status. It is no coincidence that the return of veteran outhalf Paul Blewitt has seen the team record consecutive wins over Holywood and Portadown. A win for ‘Dee this weekend will see teams such as Ballyclare and Portadown looking over their shoulders at being dragged into a relegation battle. Donaghadee Player/Coach Paul McKenzie has been forced to make three changes with Adam Alexander, Max Montgomery and Stephen Adams unavailable. They are replaced Jack Cooke, Kyle Morrow and Andrew Findlater.
When these two sides met in October, Ballyclare ran out comfortable 36-10 winners.
Ballymoney v CIYMS
There was surprise at the manner in which Ballymoney were swept aside at home by Dromore 23-49 last weekend. Player coach Jason Taggart knows his players can't afford a similar performance against a resurgent CIYMS side chasing that all-important top four finish and qualification for the AIL Junior Cup.
The Belmont side put up a stubborn performance before losing 3-8 at home to undefeated leaders Instonians last weekend. Their coaches Gareth Fry, John Anderson and Davy Scott are confident the players have got over the loss to Dundalk as they look for a strong finish to the season.
CIYMS won the corresponding fixture at Belmont in October by a 52-12 score.
Bangor v Portadown
Who would have predicted that last Saturday these two sides would concede over 100 points in their defeats to Dundalk and Donaghadee. Amazingly they each conceded eight tries. Bangor lost 55-5 to Dundalk in the AIL Junior Cup final at Chambers Park and the club is expecting a big response from the players this weekend. They will be without forwards Freddie Black and Ryan Latimer who will follow concussion protocols before they return to play. Fullback Chris Morgan is unavailable with a few more players suffering bumps and bruises.
Their opponents Portadown suffered a humiliating 48-0 loss at Donaldson Park and Head coach Richard Hedley was very disappointed by his team’s performance. Hedley has recalled Diarmuid O'Kane, Brian Forrestal, and Neil Irwin, with Mark Feely subject to a late fitness test.
The two sides who have had their pride severly dented in recent week so expect fireworks in this encounter at Upritchard Park. Bangor will look to complete the double after defeating Portadown 27-22 at Chambers Park in October. Portadown have now lost their last five league games.
Dromore v Clogher Valley
This will be another big test for coach Graham Cloke and his players. They bounced back from their Towns Cup defeat at Portadown to inflict on Ballymoney their heaviest defeat at home in recent years. In scoring seven tries in their 49-23 win, the team has now moved into fourth place with two games in hand over Portadown and Ballyclare. Upcoming games against CIYMS, Bangor, Clogher Valley and Instonians will tell us a lot about whether this Dromore squad has the players to compete with these teams and qualify for the AIL Junior Cup.
Their opponents Clogher Valley remain nine points behind leaders Instonians and determined to make sure they make the South Belfast side fight all the way for their league title. Coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will be delighted to see their dynamic second row pairing of Eugene McKenna and Michael Treanor reunited. Veteran centre PC Falconer is out injured with Philip Moore and Mark Ellis on the bench. Another fixture that will attract a large crowd to Barban Hill. Clogher Valley were convincing 38-5 winners when the two sides met at the Cran in October. Expect a physically compelling encounter between these two teams this weekend.
Instonians v Cooke
This derby encounter at Shaw’s Bridge attracted a large crowd when the two teams met at the same venue in October. Instonians requiring a late response to win 26-20. Expect another fiercely contested gladiatorial encounter between these two teams on Saturday. Coach William Leacock has been pleased by form of his Instonians players in recent weeks as they continue their undefeated run in all competitions. Both Harry and Robbie Martin will return to first XV action this weekend.
Cooke Player / Coach Colin Atkinson has witnessed the unexpected results continue in this league with his side not out of the running for a top four placing. He is delighted with the team’s improvement in home performances, that will see him missing key forward Brian Mannus and prolific try scoring winger Andy Pollock as both players are unavailable. There will be late fitness tests faced by Gareth Robinson, Graham Jewhurst, Kyle Mitchell and Atkinson himself.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Academy v Coleraine
The North coast side may consider themselves favourites after their thrilling injury time win over league leaders Omagh (21-19) last weekend. Academy coach Gareth Lynn was disappointed his team let slip a 7-15 lead to end up losing 19-15 at Enniskillen. He is expecting a response from his players after back to back defeats against Skins.
When these two sides met at Rugby Road in October, Coleraine ran out convincing winners 39-17. James Blair, Norman Carson and Graeme Dobbin are unavailable for Academy with Chris Nash, Adam Martin, Stewart Martin and Ross Bryans returning to the side.
Carrickfergus v Lisburn
Coach Warren McLean will want his Carrick side to maintain their six match undefeated league run. With his side facing a Powerade Towns Cup quarter final trip to Donaghadee on Saturday week, he will be expecting his players to step up after struggling to a 17-24 win away to UUC. When these two sides met at Blaris in November, Carrick ran out comfortable 11-38 winners. Nothing less than the maximum five points will be needed from this match to keep the pressure on leaders Omagh.
Lisburn Player / Coach Mark Crothers has a mountain to climb to keep his team in Q2. A surprise 18-14 defeat at relegation threatened Holywood has put the coach and his players under pressure to perform. A trip to Tom Simms Memorial Park to face an in-form Carrick side will be a daunting challenge for his young squad.
Holywood v Randalstown
Can Holywood coach Laurence Kelly keep the Kerr Park side in Q2 against all the odds? A much needed win over Lisburn (18-14) has given the players the belief they can turn around their season.
Randalstown are a team who have impressed everyone with their performances this season. Their home form in particular has helped to consolidate their mid table placing in this league. Coaches Gary Longwell and Alastair Strange have been forced to make several changes for this weekend after defeating Grosvenor 19-3 at Nelisbrook last Saturday. Outhalf Ryan Bailey, who scored three tries against Grosvenor, is unavailable, with the experienced Dan McGlade replacing him. Scrumhalf John O'Kane joins the injury list to be replaced by Chris McGoldrick. Ryan McGarry returns on the wing with a re-jigged front row, with tighthead Gary Hume ruled out through injury. Neil Foster moves over from hooker with Scott Stevenson replacing him and Jonny Adair filling the loosehead position. Gary Irwin drops down to the bench.
This is the first meeting of the two teams this season in the league.
Omagh v Enniskillen
There is a resurgence of rugby in the South West, led by Clogher Valley, Omagh and Enniskillen, with these three teams having featured prominently in all Ulster Branch competitions this season. The meeting of these two sides at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields will surely attract one of the biggest crowds to this venue in recent years.
Omagh lost their unbeaten league run at Coleraine last time out and Head Coach Phil Marshall has had to make two changes with prop Steven Lyons suffering a farming accident, while centre Yonga Taleni is unavailable. Captain and prop Mark Smyth remains on the injured list.
Can the Skins team reverse the narrow 12-15 defeat they suffered at Mullaghmeen before Christmas? The Fermanagh men are on a four match undefeated run and know wins over Omagh, Coleraine and Carrickfergus will see them join the promotion race, not to mention their Towns Cup quarter final at home to Ballynahinch 2nds next week. Skins will look to use their powerful forwards to exploit the unavailability of the Omagh first choice props. Enniskillen Head Coach Norman Richmond will demand nothing less than a win from his players.
GORDON WEST CUP QUARTER FINALS
Larne v PSNI
Lurgan v Limavady
Letterkenny v Virginia
Monaghan v Strabane