There are two fascinating First Trust Senior Cup games are to be played on Saturday, as teams vie for a place in the 11th December final.
CITY OF DERRY v BALLYNAHINCH
Judges Road will welcome the County Down side for this titanic cup encounter. Both sides have experienced differing results in the Ulster Bank League with newly promoted Ballynahinch still seeking their first win in Division 1A after five outings. In contrast City of Derry are in second place in Division 2A; one point behind ...
There are two fascinating First Trust Senior Cup games are to be played on Saturday, as teams vie for a place in the 11th December final. CITY OF DERRY v BALLYNAHINCH Judges Road will welcome the County Down side for this titanic cup encounter. Both sides have experienced differing results in the Ulster Bank League with newly promoted Ballynahinch still seeking their first win in Division 1A after five outings. In contrast City of Derry are in second place in Division 2A; one point behind leaders Ballymena and remain undefeated after four games. Ballynahinch coaches Derel Sufferin and Charlie McAleese have had to dig deep into their playing resources after using 36 players in their opening four UBL games. Despite these obstacles the 1st XV are closing in on their first All-Ireland win and will look for a morale boosting win in the North West before entertaining Garryowen at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday week. The win by their second XV in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup semi final at home to Portadown last Saturday is a testimony to the depth of their playing resources. Key players for Ballynahinch will be captain Stuart Morrow and the exciting prospect Jordan Gratton in the centre. Up front the backrow of Neil Faloon, Paul Pritchard and Dominic Gallagher will have their work cut out to restrict the lively City of Derry backline. City of Derry suffered a 50-15 defeat against Queen's in the Ulster Senior League last Saturday. 'Hinch also inflicted a heavy 56-14 defeat on the Derry side on the opening day of the USL in August. Derry have recorded two impressive wins over Rainey and Dungannon to progress to the semi finals. There is talent in abundance throughout the Derry squad from captain David Funston, influential outhalf Richard McCarter and his half back partner Andrew Semple in the backs - to a forward unit that contains key players such as Richard Baird, Stephen Ferguson, Stephen Corr and Sam Duffy. Expect the biggest crowd of the season at Judges Road for this match, with the away team slight favourites.
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY v BANBRIDGE On paper you would say Queen's should win this game after convincing performances against Belfast Harlequins and Ards to make the semi final. But defeats against Ballymena and Galwegians in recent weeks have stifled the progress of the students in the Ulster Bank League. The students did bounce back at the weekend with a convincing 50-15 win over Derry. The Queens squad has already recorded a 13-21 win over the Bann side this season in the Ulster Bank League at Rifle Park. In Stuart McIIwaine, Michael McAuley, Damon Hall, Chris Colvin and the prolific boot of Ritchie McMaster the students possess so many attacking options. In the forwards their back row of Ryan Clarke Matt Clarke and Stuart Hooks, along with Grant Bartley in the second row and hooker Rory Winters have impressed this season. Banbridge are still seeking their first win in the Ulster Bank League after narrowly losing all four opening games. Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best have developed a squad that recorded impressive wins over Armagh and Instonians on route to the semi final. In half backs Andy Hyde and Adam Doherty the Bann side pose a real threat with the attacking options available through Hugo Harbinson, Andrew Morrison and Miles O'Hagan. Forwards Simon McKinstry, Johnny Graham, Matthew Irvine and Jonny Weir will require a big performances in order to over power the student forwards and limit the supply of ball to their backs. There is a great opportunity for the grassroots followers of Ulster rugby to witness two talented sides by supporting both teams at Queens on Saturday.
There are two fascinating First Trust Senior Cup games are to be played on Saturday, as teams vie for a place in the 11th December final. CITY OF DERRY v BALLYNAHINCH Judges Road will welcome the County Down side for this titanic cup encounter. Both sides have experienced differing results in the Ulster Bank League with newly promoted Ballynahinch still seeking their first win in Division 1A after five outings. In contrast City of Derry are in second place in Division 2A; one point behind leaders Ballymena and remain undefeated after four games. Ballynahinch coaches Derel Sufferin and Charlie McAleese have had to dig deep into their playing resources after using 36 players in their opening four UBL games. Despite these obstacles the 1st XV are closing in on their first All-Ireland win and will look for a morale boosting win in the North West before entertaining Garryowen at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday week. The win by their second XV in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup semi final at home to Portadown last Saturday is a testimony to the depth of their playing resources. Key players for Ballynahinch will be captain Stuart Morrow and the exciting prospect Jordan Gratton in the centre. Up front the backrow of Neil Faloon, Paul Pritchard and Dominic Gallagher will have their work cut out to restrict the lively City of Derry backline. City of Derry suffered a 50-15 defeat against Queen's in the Ulster Senior League last Saturday. 'Hinch also inflicted a heavy 56-14 defeat on the Derry side on the opening day of the USL in August. Derry have recorded two impressive wins over Rainey and Dungannon to progress to the semi finals. There is talent in abundance throughout the Derry squad from captain David Funston, influential outhalf Richard McCarter and his half back partner Andrew Semple in the backs - to a forward unit that contains key players such as Richard Baird, Stephen Ferguson, Stephen Corr and Sam Duffy. Expect the biggest crowd of the season at Judges Road for this match, with the away team slight favourites.
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY v BANBRIDGE On paper you would say Queen's should win this game after convincing performances against Belfast Harlequins and Ards to make the semi final. But defeats against Ballymena and Galwegians in recent weeks have stifled the progress of the students in the Ulster Bank League. The students did bounce back at the weekend with a convincing 50-15 win over Derry. The Queens squad has already recorded a 13-21 win over the Bann side this season in the Ulster Bank League at Rifle Park. In Stuart McIIwaine, Michael McAuley, Damon Hall, Chris Colvin and the prolific boot of Ritchie McMaster the students possess so many attacking options. In the forwards their back row of Ryan Clarke Matt Clarke and Stuart Hooks, along with Grant Bartley in the second row and hooker Rory Winters have impressed this season. Banbridge are still seeking their first win in the Ulster Bank League after narrowly losing all four opening games. Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best have developed a squad that recorded impressive wins over Armagh and Instonians on route to the semi final. In half backs Andy Hyde and Adam Doherty the Bann side pose a real threat with the attacking options available through Hugo Harbinson, Andrew Morrison and Miles O'Hagan. Forwards Simon McKinstry, Johnny Graham, Matthew Irvine and Jonny Weir will require a big performances in order to over power the student forwards and limit the supply of ball to their backs. There is a great opportunity for the grassroots followers of Ulster rugby to witness two talented sides by supporting both teams at Queens on Saturday.