The opening matches in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A relegation/promotion play-offs take place on Saturday as Ballynahinch welcome Buccaneers to Ballymacarn Park in a repeat of their play-off clash from 2014, and Division 1B rivals Dublin University and Ballymena face off at College Park.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS:
BALLYNAHINCH (9th, Div 1A) v BUCCANEERS (4th, Div 1B)
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Ballymacarn Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form: Ballynahinch: LLLLLLLLWLWWLLLLWW; Buccaneers: WLWWLLLLLWWWLLWWWL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballynahinch: Points: Chris Quinn 133; Tries: Aaron Cairns 5; Buccaneers: Points: Conor McKeon 117; Tries: Rory O'Connor 12
Preview: Ballynahinch will have to back up last week's barnstorming 59-5 victory over Garryowen if they want to take the next step towards Division 1A survival.
It has been a tough slog for them in the top flight, and the extended relegation/promotion play-offs mean they have to beat two eager Division 1B sides.
Buccaneers' two most recent trips to Co. Down resulted in heavy losses, including a 35-13 reversal in this equivalent fixture two years ago, and this may prove a step beyond the midlanders again.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, April 20, 2013: Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 8, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, May 3, 2014: Ballynahinch 35 Buccaneers 13, Ballymacarn Park
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (2nd, Div 1B) v BALLYMENA (3rd, Div 1B)
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ College Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form: Dublin University: LLWWWWWWWWLWWWWWLW; Ballymena: WWWWWLWWWWWLLLWLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Dublin University: Points: Jack McDermott 180; Tries: Tim Maupin 11; Ballymena: Points: Ritchie McMaster 111; Tries: Rodger McBurney 10
Preview: Ballymena may have finished one spot behind second-placed Dublin University in the final Division 1B table, but they were 16 points worse off after losing their last three games.
There is a clean slate now in the play-offs, though, as the Braidmen return to College Park where they were beaten 34-19 at the start of last month.
Trinity, who put 55 points on Blackrock last week, have oozed quality at times in attack. Another clinical showing here should get them the result, especially if out-half Jack McDermott (180 points, seven tries) continues his free-scoring form.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, September 26, 2015: Ballymena 35 Dublin University 24, Eaton Park; Saturday, March 5, 2016: Dublin University 34 Ballymena 19, College Park
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ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A PROMOTION PLAY-OFF:
BANBRIDGE v UCC
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Rifle Park
2nd against 3rd in Division 2A face off in Rifle Park this weekend with the winner facing either Blackrock or Cashel for a spot in Division 1B.
The College side won the first match between the two 27 - 26 at home in November. The Bann won the return 16 - 3 in January.
The clubs finished just three points apart in the table so expect it to be tight on Saturday.
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ULSTER BANK LEAGUE ROUND-ROBIN QUALIFIER:
CLONMEL v BANGOR
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Clonmel
Bangor will make the trip south to Clonmel on Saturday, knowing that their fate lies in their own hands.
A win for Bangor would guarantee a top two finishing position that would either gain them automatic promotion to the Ulster Bank League Division 2C or at least give them one more chance to go up via a play-off against Sligo, who finished second last in this league.
Bangor opened their round-robin games with a 24-7 home win over Westport on April 2, followed by a 19-19 draw in Enniscorthy the following Saturday.
Clonmel have picked up one win and a loss in their first two round-robin games, travelling to Westport and winning 38-0 on April 9, before losing at home against Enniscorthy on a scoreline of 22-7.
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All the following games Saturday 23 April, Kick-off 2.30pm
McCambley Cup Final:
Ballymoney 4 v Malone 5 @ Kingspan Stadium
Butler Shield Final:
Carrickfergus 4 v Belfast Harlequins 4 @ Ards
Kukri Qualifying League 2/3 Play-Off:
Donaghadee v UUC @ Donaghadee
Kukri Qualifying League 3 / Junior Play-Off:
Strabane v Cavan @ Strabane
Kukri Qualifying League 2:
Grosvenor v Randalstown @ Malone
Kukri Qualifying League 3 :
Letterkenny v B.H.S FP @ Letterkenny
Ophir v Limavady @ Ophir
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS:
BALLYNAHINCH (9th, Div 1A) v BUCCANEERS (4th, Div 1B)
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Ballymacarn Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form: Ballynahinch: LLLLLLLLWLWWLLLLWW; Buccaneers: WLWWLLLLLWWWLLWWWL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Ballynahinch: Points: Chris Quinn 133; Tries: Aaron Cairns 5; Buccaneers: Points: Conor McKeon 117; Tries: Rory O'Connor 12
Preview: Ballynahinch will have to back up last week's barnstorming 59-5 victory over Garryowen if they want to take the next step towards Division 1A survival.
It has been a tough slog for them in the top flight, and the extended relegation/promotion play-offs mean they have to beat two eager Division 1B sides.
Buccaneers' two most recent trips to Co. Down resulted in heavy losses, including a 35-13 reversal in this equivalent fixture two years ago, and this may prove a step beyond the midlanders again.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, April 20, 2013: Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 8, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, May 3, 2014: Ballynahinch 35 Buccaneers 13, Ballymacarn Park
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY (2nd, Div 1B) v BALLYMENA (3rd, Div 1B)
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ College Park
Ulster Bank League Season's Form: Dublin University: LLWWWWWWWWLWWWWWLW; Ballymena: WWWWWLWWWWWLLLWLLL
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Dublin University: Points: Jack McDermott 180; Tries: Tim Maupin 11; Ballymena: Points: Ritchie McMaster 111; Tries: Rodger McBurney 10
Preview: Ballymena may have finished one spot behind second-placed Dublin University in the final Division 1B table, but they were 16 points worse off after losing their last three games.
There is a clean slate now in the play-offs, though, as the Braidmen return to College Park where they were beaten 34-19 at the start of last month.
Trinity, who put 55 points on Blackrock last week, have oozed quality at times in attack. Another clinical showing here should get them the result, especially if out-half Jack McDermott (180 points, seven tries) continues his free-scoring form.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, September 26, 2015: Ballymena 35 Dublin University 24, Eaton Park; Saturday, March 5, 2016: Dublin University 34 Ballymena 19, College Park
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ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A PROMOTION PLAY-OFF:
BANBRIDGE v UCC
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Rifle Park
2nd against 3rd in Division 2A face off in Rifle Park this weekend with the winner facing either Blackrock or Cashel for a spot in Division 1B.
The College side won the first match between the two 27 - 26 at home in November. The Bann won the return 16 - 3 in January.
The clubs finished just three points apart in the table so expect it to be tight on Saturday.
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ULSTER BANK LEAGUE ROUND-ROBIN QUALIFIER:
CLONMEL v BANGOR
Saturday, April 23, Kick-off 2.30pm @ Clonmel
Bangor will make the trip south to Clonmel on Saturday, knowing that their fate lies in their own hands.
A win for Bangor would guarantee a top two finishing position that would either gain them automatic promotion to the Ulster Bank League Division 2C or at least give them one more chance to go up via a play-off against Sligo, who finished second last in this league.
Bangor opened their round-robin games with a 24-7 home win over Westport on April 2, followed by a 19-19 draw in Enniscorthy the following Saturday.
Clonmel have picked up one win and a loss in their first two round-robin games, travelling to Westport and winning 38-0 on April 9, before losing at home against Enniscorthy on a scoreline of 22-7.
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All the following games Saturday 23 April, Kick-off 2.30pm
McCambley Cup Final:
Ballymoney 4 v Malone 5 @ Kingspan Stadium
Butler Shield Final:
Carrickfergus 4 v Belfast Harlequins 4 @ Ards
Kukri Qualifying League 2/3 Play-Off:
Donaghadee v UUC @ Donaghadee
Kukri Qualifying League 3 / Junior Play-Off:
Strabane v Cavan @ Strabane
Kukri Qualifying League 2:
Grosvenor v Randalstown @ Malone
Kukri Qualifying League 3 :
Letterkenny v B.H.S FP @ Letterkenny
Ophir v Limavady @ Ophir