We have reached the quarter finals of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup with four intriguing ties down for decision this weekend.
Two wins and the teams will step onto the hallowed turf of Ravenhill on Wednesday 11th December to decide the winner.
Not only will the winner lift this magnificent trophy but they will also have the opportunity to represent Ulster in the All Ireland Bateman Cup along with the three other Provincial winners - another incentive for the remaining eight ...
We have reached the quarter finals of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup with four intriguing ties down for decision this weekend. Two wins and the teams will step onto the hallowed turf of Ravenhill on Wednesday 11th December to decide the winner. Not only will the winner lift this magnificent trophy but they will also have the opportunity to represent Ulster in the All Ireland Bateman Cup along with the three other Provincial winners - another incentive for the remaining eight teams. BALLYNAHINCH v MALONE The faithful at Ballymacarn Park will welcome Malone with the knowledge that the Cregagh Red Sox have struggled at this venue in recent seasons. In two outings last season, the visitors conceded almost 100 points, losing 58-3 in the Ulster Bank League and 38-18 in the Ulster Senior league. However, Malone did win the corresponding fixture in the Ulster Senior Cup at Gibson Park 17-13 last season. Both coaches utilised their extended playing squads in last Saturday's Ulster Senior League games and still managed to concede no points in 160 minutes of rugby between them. 'Hinch won 52-0 at home to Ards, scoring eight tries in the process. Meanwhile, Malone defeated Instonians 32-0, scoring five tries. Silverware is a key goal of the 'Hinch teams each season and their appetite for this Cup will not be diminished by their 1st XV's two defeats in Ulster Bank League Division 1A. Both teams will want good performances from their playing personnel before they resume their All Ireland League campaigns the following Saturday. DUNGANNON v CITY OF DERRY Derry showed no mercy to the Tyrone side in their Ulster Senior League meeting at Judges Road last Saturday, scoring twelve tries in a 76-0 win. Such is the strength in depth of the North West team's playing resources they were able to rest several key players for this game. Scrumhalf Andrew Semple scored four tries and winger Josh Lewis registered a hat-trick. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair (former Dungannon player) know that Dungannon at Stevenson Park are a different proposition. Derry will travel with confidence after winning 8-48 at Rainey in the previous round. Dungannon have been in this situation before; having lost 15-84 at home to UCD in the Ulster Bank League last season, they bounced back to beat Ballymena 51-0 in their next game. The hosts will be without their Ulster contingent due to the Ravens fixture v Jersey on Friday night. For that reason, City of Derry will be hopeful of progressing. INSTONIANS v BANBRIDGE Can the Shaws Bridge squad repeat their early season Ulster Senior League win over the Bann team when they won 21-15. Despite encouraging performances, William Leacock will know that Daniel Soper and his squad have ambitions to reach the final at Ravenhill for the second time in three seasons. A morale boosting 31-37 win at Rainey last Saturday will have lifted the spirits of the Rifle Park team. With the leadership of Simon McKinstry in the engine room, Banbridge have backs that can score tries. The centre pairing of Andrew Morrison and James Andrews have impressed in recent weeks despite two defeats in their opening two Ulster Bank League games. Young Bann outhalf Adam Doherty has made a claim for a starting place after scoring 22 points in the win over Rainey. Banbridge should prove too strong for their hosts. QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY v ARDS Ards lost narrowly (8-6) to the students in the Ulster Senior League in September. Can the Hamilton Park team cause an upset this time? Ards will rely on Captain Rob McCausland and the experienced Stuart Paul, Scott Young and Mark Banford to upset the form book. With a sizeable playing squad to select from, Robbie Moore's biggest problem is who to select. Queen's have ambitions to do a clean sweep of all competitions in Ulster this season, such is the confidence within their playing squad. Players such as Chris Colvin, Stewart McIIwaine and Michael McAuley are scoring tries with freedom thanks to their hard working and talented forwards. Queen's should win.
We have reached the quarter finals of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup with four intriguing ties down for decision this weekend. Two wins and the teams will step onto the hallowed turf of Ravenhill on Wednesday 11th December to decide the winner. Not only will the winner lift this magnificent trophy but they will also have the opportunity to represent Ulster in the All Ireland Bateman Cup along with the three other Provincial winners - another incentive for the remaining eight teams. BALLYNAHINCH v MALONE The faithful at Ballymacarn Park will welcome Malone with the knowledge that the Cregagh Red Sox have struggled at this venue in recent seasons. In two outings last season, the visitors conceded almost 100 points, losing 58-3 in the Ulster Bank League and 38-18 in the Ulster Senior league. However, Malone did win the corresponding fixture in the Ulster Senior Cup at Gibson Park 17-13 last season. Both coaches utilised their extended playing squads in last Saturday's Ulster Senior League games and still managed to concede no points in 160 minutes of rugby between them. 'Hinch won 52-0 at home to Ards, scoring eight tries in the process. Meanwhile, Malone defeated Instonians 32-0, scoring five tries. Silverware is a key goal of the 'Hinch teams each season and their appetite for this Cup will not be diminished by their 1st XV's two defeats in Ulster Bank League Division 1A. Both teams will want good performances from their playing personnel before they resume their All Ireland League campaigns the following Saturday. DUNGANNON v CITY OF DERRY Derry showed no mercy to the Tyrone side in their Ulster Senior League meeting at Judges Road last Saturday, scoring twelve tries in a 76-0 win. Such is the strength in depth of the North West team's playing resources they were able to rest several key players for this game. Scrumhalf Andrew Semple scored four tries and winger Josh Lewis registered a hat-trick. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair (former Dungannon player) know that Dungannon at Stevenson Park are a different proposition. Derry will travel with confidence after winning 8-48 at Rainey in the previous round. Dungannon have been in this situation before; having lost 15-84 at home to UCD in the Ulster Bank League last season, they bounced back to beat Ballymena 51-0 in their next game. The hosts will be without their Ulster contingent due to the Ravens fixture v Jersey on Friday night. For that reason, City of Derry will be hopeful of progressing. INSTONIANS v BANBRIDGE Can the Shaws Bridge squad repeat their early season Ulster Senior League win over the Bann team when they won 21-15. Despite encouraging performances, William Leacock will know that Daniel Soper and his squad have ambitions to reach the final at Ravenhill for the second time in three seasons. A morale boosting 31-37 win at Rainey last Saturday will have lifted the spirits of the Rifle Park team. With the leadership of Simon McKinstry in the engine room, Banbridge have backs that can score tries. The centre pairing of Andrew Morrison and James Andrews have impressed in recent weeks despite two defeats in their opening two Ulster Bank League games. Young Bann outhalf Adam Doherty has made a claim for a starting place after scoring 22 points in the win over Rainey. Banbridge should prove too strong for their hosts. QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY v ARDS Ards lost narrowly (8-6) to the students in the Ulster Senior League in September. Can the Hamilton Park team cause an upset this time? Ards will rely on Captain Rob McCausland and the experienced Stuart Paul, Scott Young and Mark Banford to upset the form book. With a sizeable playing squad to select from, Robbie Moore's biggest problem is who to select. Queen's have ambitions to do a clean sweep of all competitions in Ulster this season, such is the confidence within their playing squad. Players such as Chris Colvin, Stewart McIIwaine and Michael McAuley are scoring tries with freedom thanks to their hard working and talented forwards. Queen's should win.