ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
Old Belvedere (9th) v Ballynahinch (4th)
Last weekend Ballynahinch hung on to win a crucial match at home against UCD (18-16), with the visitors denied victory after a last minute penalty drifted wide. The win moved Derek Suffern's team into the coveted top four playoff placing. The problem for the coach and his players are they have yet to win away from home this season. They have three games remaining, against Old Belvedere and Dolphin away and Clontarf at home. They also have the small matter of an All Ireland Bateman Cup semi final at home to Clontarf on 21st March. The club has already secured the First Trust Senior Cup and are favourites to retain the Ulster Senior League. Their goal is also to bring UBL silverware to Ballymacarn Park in the clubs 60th anniversary season. They retain the same playing squad from last Saturday and will be favourites against an Old Belvedere side that has lost six of their last seven matches. When these two sides met in September, Ballynahinch ran out 13-8 winners.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B
Ballymena (4th) v Garryowen (2nd)
This is a must-win game for Ballymena coaches Andy Graham and Nicky Wells if they are to remain in the promotion chase. After winning with a Ritchie McMaster drop goal at Malone in injury time, the Braidmen face second place Garryowen, who remain undefeated in their last seven UBL matches. Despite being relegated last season the Limerick side have made their intentions clear, to return to Division 1A. Key to the Ballymena performance will be front rowers Dave Ryan, Michael Lagan, Adam McBurney and James Taggart. The return of Ulster scrumhalf Dave Shanahan was pivotal last week and along with his back row of Stephen Mulholland, Dominic and James Gallagher they will have their work cut out to match a big Garryowen pack. Can this Ballymena team return to winning ways at Eaton Park after being beaten at home by league leaders Galwegians two weeks ago? When the two sides meet at Dooradoyle in November Garryowen won 32-24.
Belfast Harlequins (6th) v Corinthians (10th)
Quins are coming off the back of a seven try 43-6 win in Athlone last Saturday against Buccaneers. Their confidence is high after winning their last four home UBL matches. Rory Scholes is involved with Ulster this weekend and injury rules out fellow winger Mark Glover, but Fijian flyer Bulumakau and David McMaster are available again. Ulster players Neil McComb, Sean Reidy, Frankie Taggart and Michael Heaney have been regulars in the team in recent weeks and they have provided an experienced spine to the team. Corinthians are struggling at the bottom of the league and urgently need league points. They will be difficult opponents for Quins, as they pushed league leaders Galwegians all the way last Saturday, before losing 21-13.
Malone (9th) v Galwegians (1st)
The East Belfast side are fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. They welcome league leaders Galwegians to Gibson Park for a must-win game for both sides. The Connacht side proved to strong for Ballymena at Eaton Park two weeks ago as they look to secure promotion again this season. Malone coaches Jacques Benade and Michael Ferguson were disappointed their team did not come away with a 10-10 draw with Ballymena last Saturday, losing to an injury time drop goal. Injuries continue to deprive them of key backs Josh Pentland and Nathan Brown but the forwards impressed last Saturday with a strong showing in difficult conditions. Malone will be looking to avenge a 34-25 defeat earlier in the season.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
Banbridge (4th) v Bective Rangers (16th)
Promotion chasing Banbridge will be clear favourites to win this home encounter with bottom side Bective Rangers. With three games left they face Naas away and runaway leaders Old Wesley at home in their final league game on 11th April. What a day that will be at Rifle Park for this proud club. Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best rely on the same squad that hung on to win in dramatic style at Rainey OB last weekend (16-14) with a last minute try. Every team needs a bit of luck and the Bann side extended their winning run to five unbeaten AIL matches to make them the form team in Ulster along with City of Derry.
Cashel (5th) v City of Derry (10th)
Rampant City of Derry humiliated Queen’s University at Judges Road last Saturday, scoring seven tries in their 43-0 win. The result moves the team into the all important 10th place to retain their status in the third tier of All Ireland rugby. They face a daunting trip to Tipperary to play a Cashel team undefeated at home this season. Since Terry McMaster took over coaching the City of Derry team, they have scored 27 tries in their last six matches, winning five from six. With the forwards playing well the half backs of Andrew Semple and Richard McCarter are able to control play. Back row forward Stephen Corr is unavailable this weekend, with hooker David Ferguson replacing him. Cathal Cregan comes in at hooker, with Ross Harkin replacing Sam Duffy at prop. There are several new names added to the bench including Nathan Deeney and Craig Huey, along with Chris Cooper, David Funston and Jack Beattie.
Dungannon (15th) v NUIM Barnhall (7th)
There may have been an air of despondency at Stevenson Park after recent results. On Saturday they moved off bottom place in this league after securing a losing bonus point in their 24-17 defeat away to promotion chasing Skerries. A strong comeback came up just short with stand out players James McMahon and outhalf Jack Milligan amongst the points scorers. Can they get a morale boosting home win this weekend.
Queen’s University (6th) v Blackrock College (2nd)
The students need points. They were considered many peoples favourites to win promotion this season but now coach Bob Young has a fight on his hands to keep his team in the third tier. They are only five points ahead of 10th place City of Derry. Injuries and unavailabilities have deprived them of key players due to provincial and IRFU commitments. Their task at the Dub this weekend against an in-form Blackrock College is another daunting challenge for this young student side. Blackrock has only lost one out of their last eight UBL matches - incidentally against runaway leaders Old Wesley. 11 points separate Blackrock College and Queen’s with three games to go.
Thomond (9th) v Rainey OB (13th)
A last minute defeat to Banbridge on Saturday would appear to have consigned Rainey to Division 4 of the UBL next season. They have lost their last five AIL matches. Head coach Richard Boyd has put his faith in his younger players as they build for next season. They face a diffcult trip to Limerick to play a Thomond side at Liam Fitzgerald Park with the hosts hoping to consolidate their ninth place in this league. Along with Thomond - Rainey have Dungannon at home and Nenagh away in their final matches.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Sligo (11th) v Armagh (5th)
There is disappointment at the Palace Grounds after the 1sts lost their last two home UBL games against Munster sides Bruff and Sunday's Well. Their ambition is to finish in the top four but coach Andy Hughes has seen his side undo much of their good work in recent weeks as his players failed to match the physicality of the opposition. For the trip to Sligo, Stuart Lester replaces John Faloon in the centre, Willie Martin returns to the second row to replace James Hanna and Matthew Steenson is added to the bench. Captain Mark Riddell has to lift his players with games remaining against Richmond at home and promotion chasing Tullamore away on the final day. They have much work to do to finish in the top four.
Tullamore (2nd) v Ards (16th)
With Ards all but relegated with three matches remaining, it is all about performance and preparing for life in Qualifying League 1 next season. In 19 Ulster Bank League and Ulster Senior League matches, Ards have yet to record a win this season. They face another challenging fixture as they travel to County Offaly to play second place Tullamore.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
Ballyclare (4th) v Clogher Valley (2nd)
After halting a losing run, Ballyclare have been boosted by consecutive wins over Ballymoney and Instonians. They remain in contention to finish in fourth place and qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup after securing promotion to Q1 this season. The faithful will want to see their players go out with a win in their last home game against second place Clogher Valley. Clogher Valley are faced with their fifth match in fourteen days as they continue their pursuit of leaders Instonians. Such is the impact of injuries on their squad, the coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black are struggling to put out 17 players for this crucial trip to the Cloughan. Injuries rule out Ryan and BJ Wilson along with their influential back row forward David Sharkey. Doubts remain over backs PC Falconer and Jack Stott. Long term injuries rule out David Dunlop, Matty Robinson and Jonny Clarke for the remainder of the season. With a Powerade Towns Cup semi final at Ballymena on Saturday week the toll of having played 25 matches already appears to be catching up with the Fivemiletown team. When these two sides met at the Cran in December Clogher ran out comfortable winners (27-0).
Bangor (3rd) v CIYMS (8th)
Two teams who performed so well in the All Ireland Junior Cup, yet their performances have slipped in the league as they exited the Towns Cup and McCrea Cup respectively. Was it a case the players had put so much into the All Ireland Junior Cup they have struggled to maintain those levels? Bangor need one more point to secure a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. CIYMS were expected to be challenging for a top four finish but they are now engaged in a battle with Donaghadee to avoid finishing second bottom and possible relegation. Both teams have under performed in the league with Bangor winning two and losing two of their last four league games with CIYMS losing all four of their league games. Not the form we expected from a team that was expected to challenge for league honours. With Bangor resting several key players for the mid week trip to Clogher Valley where they lost 27-8. Expect coaches Rupert Preston and Jason Morgan along with Captain Jamie Clegg to send the faithful away from Upritchard Park with a convincing win in their last home game. CIYMS need points. Coaches Gareth Fry, John Anderson and Davy Scott will want to halt this run of defeats. They then face two matches against Dromore who are coached by their former coach Graham Cloke. What drama that will provide with Dromore needing wins to finish in the top four. CIYMS were disappointing in their 0-27 home defeat against Portadown last Saturday. When these two sides met at Belmont in December, Bangor ran out 21-22 winners.
Donaghadee (9th) v Dromore (5th)
This is what Q1 is all about. Every fixture is so important in these concluding weeks. Dromore are chasing a top four finish but will have to contend with a hostile atmosphere at Donaldson Park as the home supporters get behind their team for a must win game. With a Towns Cup semi final comimg up against Ballynahinch 2nds next week, there is so much at stake for coaches Paul McKenzie and John West, with both the clubs 2nds and 3rds making the semi finals of their cups as well. A remarkable achievement for this club. ‘Dee will welcome back influential forward Richard Martindale and centre Adam Alexander for this crucial game. Dromore are at full strength with key back row forwards Robert Greer and Adam McGregor starting. Their danger man is the influential half back Lee Steenson. This should be a cracking contest with spectators following closely the events at nearby Upritchard Park between Bangor and CIYMS.
Instonians (1st) v Ballymoney (10th)
Despite a hiccup at Ballyclare two weeks ago, Inst got back to winning ways at home to Donaghadee last Saturday, winning 27-7. Coach William Leacock is taking it one game at a time with three matches remaining. A win at home to struggling Ballymoney will leave his side to defeat Dromore next Wednesday night to secure the league if Clogher Valley slip up at Ballyclare. His players are expecting a tough game with a proud Ballymoney side who are staring at relegation to Q2. Coach Jason Taggart will expect nothing less than 100% from his players who pushed Inst all the way before losing 0-13 in December.
Portadown (6th) v Cooke (7th)
Coach Richard Hedley has been relieved to see his team ending their losing league run to secure back to back wins over Dromore and CIYMS. Along with Ballyclare and Dromore they are chasing that elusive fourth place. They need maximum points from their remaining two home games against Cooke and Ballyclare to give themselves a chance of finishing in fourth place. Prop Ryan Muldrew suffered a fractured bone in his shoulder against CIYMS and is replaced by Jordan Elliott. With the unavailability of Andrew Chambers in the backs, Olly Montels steps in. The Portadown back row were impressive last weekend with Diarmuid O'Kane and James Carleton scoring three tries between them. Cooke player/coach Colin Atkinson was disappointed his side did not pick up a losing bonus point in their 17-7 defeat at Clogher Valley but was pleased by the effort the players put in. He is awaiting fitness tests on backs Philip Cartmill and Andrew Hanna for the trip. Liam Bennett rejoins the squad after being out long term with an injury.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2
Carrickfergus (2nd) v Grosvenor (7th)
The coaches will have been pleased with the response from the Carrick players after back to back defeats against Omagh and Donaghadee. They travelled to Enniskillen and came away with a convincing 3-20 triumph. The team are looking to maintain their pursuit of leaders Omagh until it is mathmatically impossible for them to overtake the Tyrone side. Expect