City of Derry and Ballyclare are the joint holders after a 28-28 draw last season
ARDS 2nds v BALLYCLARE
Such is the strength in depth of the playing squad available to Coaches Bob Young and Kiwi Chris James at Cloughan; they were able to replace eight of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup final team for the crucial league game with Academy four days later. The priority for the County Antrim side is promotion to Qualifying 1 this season after narrowly missing out last year. The White Hare ...
City of Derry and Ballyclare are the joint holders after a 28-28 draw last season ARDS 2nds v BALLYCLARE Such is the strength in depth of the playing squad available to Coaches Bob Young and Kiwi Chris James at Cloughan; they were able to replace eight of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup final team for the crucial league game with Academy four days later. The priority for the County Antrim side is promotion to Qualifying 1 this season after narrowly missing out last year. The White Hare team will look to retain the trophy they shared with City of Derry 2nds last season. Captain and second row Robert Boyd has become an inspirational leader for his team. Ballyclare will not be complacent about this game so expect them to progress to second round. ARMAGH 2nds v RAINEY 2nds An interesting game in store at the Palace Grounds. Both sides have used the Ulster Senior League window to expose their squad players to 1st XV rugby. Rainey have experienced an ever lengthening injury list from their Ulster Bank League campaign. A close game to call. BALLYNAHINCH 2nds v LISBURN Another trophy up for grabs for the men from Ballymacarn Park. Davy Smyth and his team from Blaris they will be walking into the Lions Den; such is the hunger of 'Hinch for trophies. Nine of their Junior Cup winning squad have been involved in playing for the 1st XV in recent week, helping them to record two wins. To the neutral, their performance in defeating Ballyclare in the Junior Cup Final before Christmas clearly marks them out as potential winners of this cup. In captain Josh Donaldson they have an outstanding leader with the experience of Davy Nicholson and Davy Harris in the backs and Conor Piper and Chris Stevenson in the front row. Ballynahinch to win. BANGOR v CITY OF DERRY 2nds Expect the Seasiders to mount a challenge for the Towns Cup this season - a trophy they last won in 1975. After a run of several defeats the North Down club showed considerable mettle to overcome a very strong CIYMS side last Saturday (22-5). They have match winners throughout their side with their fullback Davy Charles showing his pace to score several important tries for his team. Up front the forwards are led captain Jamie Clegg and fellow back row forward James Henley. One of the strengths of the Bangor pack has been their front row of Jake Harrison, Andrew Jackson and Philip Whyte. City of Derry 2nds will be no pushovers as they attempt to return to Ravenhill to defend their title. In experienced second row Bob McKillop they have a man who will lead by example. Several of their team, including Gareth Beatty and Cathal Gregan in the front row, along with Paul McFeely and Jonny Lyons in the forwards, have experience in the Ulster Bank League. In the backs they have Mark Robinson, Jack Hargan, Adam Parke available as attacking options. Bangor would expect to be favourites for this game. CARRICKFERGUS v DROMORE Another fascinating tie down for decision at the Tom Simms Memorial Park this weekend. On paper Dromore would be favourites but in recent weeks Carrick have shown a considerable improvement in their form, winning games away to Larne and home to Armagh 2nds. After experiencing league defeats to Clogher Valley, Portadown, CIYMS and Bangor, Dromore have bounced back to defeat Coleraine, Donaghadee and Cooke during December. Carrick have a strong leader in second row Andy Kincaid and a hardworking backrow of Curtis Rea, Chris Ferris and Neil Marsden. The experienced Aaron McKinney will represent a real threat to the Dromore side. Dromore coaches Dewet Bekker and Jeremy Ogle will have any complacency in their players removed before they take to the pitch on Saturday. The County Down side may fancy their chances of a good cup run this season. CLOGHER VALLEY v LIMAVADY What can one say about a side who scored 15 tries in their 91-0 league win at UUC last Saturday. Such is the strength in their squad coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will once again be looking at their annual visit to Ravenhill to contest one of junior rugby's premier trophies. Prop Rodney Bennett scored four of those tries last weekend with fullback Paul Armstrong adding another three. Whatever team the Fivemiletown side put out you can be sure the players will give no less than 100%. Forwards Philip Moore, David Sharkey and BJ Wilson were rested last week. The young Limavady team will be looking to the experienced Greg Jordan to give them direction and leadership on the pitch at the Cran. Clogher to win. COLERAINE v RANDALSTOWN Rugby Road on the North Coast will witness another interesting tie between two sides who have had contrasting fortunes this season. Coleraine have struggled in the league and yet made the semi finals of this season's MMW Junior Cup. Randalstown are well positioned in Qualifying 2 to challenge Ballyclare for promotion. Up to last Saturday you would have fancied Randalstown to win this game, but Coleraine upset the form book by defeating Ballymoney in the league last Saturday (24-10). Their South African flyhalf Bokkie Carstens was the man of the match scoring all 24 points for his side, including two tries. A strong display by their forwards suppressed the normally dominant Ballymoney pack. Randalstown, under the guidance of coach Gary Longwell, have benefited from a youth structure that has provided eleven members of their first team squad. This includes three sets of brothers, Michael and David Smith, Gary and Ian Hume and Blane, Ryan and Darryl McGarry. Injuries had disrupted their progress prior to the Christmas break. With the 1st XV not having played since the 7th December, will this place them at a disadvantage come Saturday? Coleraine have lacked consistency all season. Can coach Richard Beggs secure back to back wins? Expect Coleraine to win by a narrow margin. LARNE v LURGAN Coach Laurence Kelly will have been disappointed by the performance of his team in losing 11-37 at home to Carrick in the Hall Cup. On 14th December Larne beat Lurgan 50-8 at home in the league. Expect another dominant performance by the East Antrim side. OMAGH v DUNGANNON 2nds This will be a diffcult fixture for Tyrone neighbours Dungannon when they visit Mellon Park on Saturday. Omagh coach Phil Marshall will be pleased his side remain in contention for promotion after winning their last three league games against Lisburn, Carrick and Enniskillen. He has developed a well organised side who are defensively very strong. Omagh are a side who could have a good cup run. The fortunes of Dungannon have been difficult this season with the lack of player depth in the club. With their 1st XV playing Belfast Harlequins in an important Ulster Bank League game on Saturday, the focus of the playing resources will be on this game. Dungannon have won the Towns Cup on 20 occasions - more than any other club. Omagh to win. PORTADOWN v BALLYMENA 2nds Another appetising tie down for decision on Saturday, with both sides considered to be contenders for the Cup. With Ballymena 1sts having no game this Saturday, expect a strong Ballymena side to travel to Chambers Park. Silverware is the target of both sides. Ballymena 2nds slipped up 32-27 in a surprising Junior Cup first round defeat at Grosvenor; the Braidmen will not want a repeat. Portadown fell to eventual winners Ballynahinch 2nds in the quarter finals of the Junior Cup. The Armagh side also narrowly lost a 14-13 semi final to Enniscorthy in the All Ireland Junior Cup. Both sides will be evenly matched with Ballymena coach Andy Graham using many of his 2nd XV players in their three Senior League fixtures, in which they scored 22 tries. Once again the experienced Rory Drysdale will be a key player for the County Antrim side. Portadown coach Richard Hedley has a full squad available for selection. His forwards have been the platform for their talented backline to score tries. In backrows Gareth McCoy and James Carleton they have match winners.
City of Derry and Ballyclare are the joint holders after a 28-28 draw last season ARDS 2nds v BALLYCLARE Such is the strength in depth of the playing squad available to Coaches Bob Young and Kiwi Chris James at Cloughan; they were able to replace eight of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup final team for the crucial league game with Academy four days later. The priority for the County Antrim side is promotion to Qualifying 1 this season after narrowly missing out last year. The White Hare team will look to retain the trophy they shared with City of Derry 2nds last season. Captain and second row Robert Boyd has become an inspirational leader for his team. Ballyclare will not be complacent about this game so expect them to progress to second round. ARMAGH 2nds v RAINEY 2nds An interesting game in store at the Palace Grounds. Both sides have used the Ulster Senior League window to expose their squad players to 1st XV rugby. Rainey have experienced an ever lengthening injury list from their Ulster Bank League campaign. A close game to call. BALLYNAHINCH 2nds v LISBURN Another trophy up for grabs for the men from Ballymacarn Park. Davy Smyth and his team from Blaris they will be walking into the Lions Den; such is the hunger of 'Hinch for trophies. Nine of their Junior Cup winning squad have been involved in playing for the 1st XV in recent week, helping them to record two wins. To the neutral, their performance in defeating Ballyclare in the Junior Cup Final before Christmas clearly marks them out as potential winners of this cup. In captain Josh Donaldson they have an outstanding leader with the experience of Davy Nicholson and Davy Harris in the backs and Conor Piper and Chris Stevenson in the front row. Ballynahinch to win. BANGOR v CITY OF DERRY 2nds Expect the Seasiders to mount a challenge for the Towns Cup this season - a trophy they last won in 1975. After a run of several defeats the North Down club showed considerable mettle to overcome a very strong CIYMS side last Saturday (22-5). They have match winners throughout their side with their fullback Davy Charles showing his pace to score several important tries for his team. Up front the forwards are led captain Jamie Clegg and fellow back row forward James Henley. One of the strengths of the Bangor pack has been their front row of Jake Harrison, Andrew Jackson and Philip Whyte. City of Derry 2nds will be no pushovers as they attempt to return to Ravenhill to defend their title. In experienced second row Bob McKillop they have a man who will lead by example. Several of their team, including Gareth Beatty and Cathal Gregan in the front row, along with Paul McFeely and Jonny Lyons in the forwards, have experience in the Ulster Bank League. In the backs they have Mark Robinson, Jack Hargan, Adam Parke available as attacking options. Bangor would expect to be favourites for this game. CARRICKFERGUS v DROMORE Another fascinating tie down for decision at the Tom Simms Memorial Park this weekend. On paper Dromore would be favourites but in recent weeks Carrick have shown a considerable improvement in their form, winning games away to Larne and home to Armagh 2nds. After experiencing league defeats to Clogher Valley, Portadown, CIYMS and Bangor, Dromore have bounced back to defeat Coleraine, Donaghadee and Cooke during December. Carrick have a strong leader in second row Andy Kincaid and a hardworking backrow of Curtis Rea, Chris Ferris and Neil Marsden. The experienced Aaron McKinney will represent a real threat to the Dromore side. Dromore coaches Dewet Bekker and Jeremy Ogle will have any complacency in their players removed before they take to the pitch on Saturday. The County Down side may fancy their chances of a good cup run this season. CLOGHER VALLEY v LIMAVADY What can one say about a side who scored 15 tries in their 91-0 league win at UUC last Saturday. Such is the strength in their squad coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black will once again be looking at their annual visit to Ravenhill to contest one of junior rugby's premier trophies. Prop Rodney Bennett scored four of those tries last weekend with fullback Paul Armstrong adding another three. Whatever team the Fivemiletown side put out you can be sure the players will give no less than 100%. Forwards Philip Moore, David Sharkey and BJ Wilson were rested last week. The young Limavady team will be looking to the experienced Greg Jordan to give them direction and leadership on the pitch at the Cran. Clogher to win. COLERAINE v RANDALSTOWN Rugby Road on the North Coast will witness another interesting tie between two sides who have had contrasting fortunes this season. Coleraine have struggled in the league and yet made the semi finals of this season's MMW Junior Cup. Randalstown are well positioned in Qualifying 2 to challenge Ballyclare for promotion. Up to last Saturday you would have fancied Randalstown to win this game, but Coleraine upset the form book by defeating Ballymoney in the league last Saturday (24-10). Their South African flyhalf Bokkie Carstens was the man of the match scoring all 24 points for his side, including two tries. A strong display by their forwards suppressed the normally dominant Ballymoney pack. Randalstown, under the guidance of coach Gary Longwell, have benefited from a youth structure that has provided eleven members of their first team squad. This includes three sets of brothers, Michael and David Smith, Gary and Ian Hume and Blane, Ryan and Darryl McGarry. Injuries had disrupted their progress prior to the Christmas break. With the 1st XV not having played since the 7th December, will this place them at a disadvantage come Saturday? Coleraine have lacked consistency all season. Can coach Richard Beggs secure back to back wins? Expect Coleraine to win by a narrow margin. LARNE v LURGAN Coach Laurence Kelly will have been disappointed by the performance of his team in losing 11-37 at home to Carrick in the Hall Cup. On 14th December Larne beat Lurgan 50-8 at home in the league. Expect another dominant performance by the East Antrim side. OMAGH v DUNGANNON 2nds This will be a diffcult fixture for Tyrone neighbours Dungannon when they visit Mellon Park on Saturday. Omagh coach Phil Marshall will be pleased his side remain in contention for promotion after winning their last three league games against Lisburn, Carrick and Enniskillen. He has developed a well organised side who are defensively very strong. Omagh are a side who could have a good cup run. The fortunes of Dungannon have been difficult this season with the lack of player depth in the club. With their 1st XV playing Belfast Harlequins in an important Ulster Bank League game on Saturday, the focus of the playing resources will be on this game. Dungannon have won the Towns Cup on 20 occasions - more than any other club. Omagh to win. PORTADOWN v BALLYMENA 2nds Another appetising tie down for decision on Saturday, with both sides considered to be contenders for the Cup. With Ballymena 1sts having no game this Saturday, expect a strong Ballymena side to travel to Chambers Park. Silverware is the target of both sides. Ballymena 2nds slipped up 32-27 in a surprising Junior Cup first round defeat at Grosvenor; the Braidmen will not want a repeat. Portadown fell to eventual winners Ballynahinch 2nds in the quarter finals of the Junior Cup. The Armagh side also narrowly lost a 14-13 semi final to Enniscorthy in the All Ireland Junior Cup. Both sides will be evenly matched with Ballymena coach Andy Graham using many of his 2nd XV players in their three Senior League fixtures, in which they scored 22 tries. Once again the experienced Rory Drysdale will be a key player for the County Antrim side. Portadown coach Richard Hedley has a full squad available for selection. His forwards have been the platform for their talented backline to score tries. In backrows Gareth McCoy and James Carleton they have match winners.