KUKRO QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1
What an opening three weeks we have had to the league programme. UUC after two early defeats were unlucky to lose narrowly to a last minute try at Coleraine. All the teams in the league are capable of beating each other, making every round of fixtures extremely competitive and entertaining.
Ballymoney v CookeAfter an opening day win at Coleraine, Cooke have slumped to defeats at home to Dromore and away to Donaghadee. Ballymoney secured a valuable draw at Dromore ...
KUKRO QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1 What an opening three weeks we have had to the league programme. UUC after two early defeats were unlucky to lose narrowly to a last minute try at Coleraine. All the teams in the league are capable of beating each other, making every round of fixtures extremely competitive and entertaining. Ballymoney v Cooke
After an opening day win at Coleraine, Cooke have slumped to defeats at home to Dromore and away to Donaghadee. Ballymoney secured a valuable draw at Dromore after defeats to Clogher Valley and Coleraine. New Cooke coach Colin Atkinson will be looking to turn around the fortunes of the Shaw's Bridge club, who finished a disappointing 8th last season. This fixture is being billed as a bottom of the table clash already with a win vital for both sides. CIYMS v Donaghadee
CI will have been disappointed with an under par performance in their 17-6 loss at Portadown last Saturday. The loss of scrumhalf Michael Wilson to injury was a major blow to the Belmont team, who will be looking to get back to winning ways. The 'Dee players have an inspirational player in their own number 9, Alastair Lockhart, and they will travel with confidence to take home four league points. Despite losing some key players the 'Dee squad has introduced several new faces to their playing squad this season. CI will be expected to win but 'Dee have the ability to pull off another win to strengthen their pursuit of a top four finish. Clogher Valley v Portadown
Table toppers Portadown will travel with confidence to the Cran after three league wins against potential league contenders. Coaches Richard Hedley and Ciaran O'Kane know a win will strengthen their grip on the league. Clogher Valley lost a tight game at Bangor when poor handling cost them the points. Expect the Fivemiletown team to bounce back and they should win at home. Coleraine v Bangor
On paper you would expect Bangor to win. Coleraine, under the guidance of coach Richard Beggs and captain Stephen Douglas have bounced back from an opening day defeat to Cooke to storm up the league table. Their near neighbours UUC almost pulled off a shock win at Sandel Lodge but thanks to South Afircan Bakkies Carsten they secured a last minute win courtesy of his try. Bangor, under the guidance of coach Rupert Preston and influential captain Jamie Clegg, have demonstrated they have the strength in depth to compete for the league. A fascinating contest in prospect but Bangor should win. UUC V Dromore
Another difficult fixture to call. The students will have taken confidence from their narrow defeat at near neighbours Coleraine. Winger Sam Hall has once again demonstrated his try scoring prowess when given the opportunity. Student coaches Nathan Moore and Ryan Milligan will be confident their team can secure their first league win. Dromore coaches Dewet Bekker and Jeremy Ogle will want to build on their impressive away win at Cooke.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2 Ballyclare v Enniskillen
Coach Bob Young and captain Robert Boyd will have been pleased by Ballyclare's two early season wins in the league. Is there any other team in the league capable of challenging their push for promotion to Kukri Qualifying One? Opponents Enniskillen required a last minute try to win 8-6 at home to Carrickfergus last Saturday. Can the men from Fermanagh stall their charge. Skins coach Alastair McKee and Captain Ricky Connor have a difficult task. Ballyclare to win. Carrickfergus v Limavady
Failure to take their scoring opportunities cost Carrick dearly at Enniskillen. Limavady were overwhelmed by Ballyclare so both teams are on the rebound. Lisburn v Strabane
Newly promoted Strabane will play their first competitive game in Qualifying Two at Blaris on Saturday. Their coaches Willy Gibson, formerly Enniskillen, and Adrian Hamilton, formerly Omagh, have the task of moulding a team to compete in this highly competitive league. The coaches are optimistic they can hold their own in this league. Lisburn will present a stern test after they bounced back to secure a 13-13 draw at Academy. Lisburn should be too strong. Randalstown v Academy
This Antrim derby is important for both clubs with Randalstown looking to build on their excellent Junior Cup win at Rainey. Academy will have been disappointed to throw away their lead at home to Lisburn in their opening league game. Home advantage could prove vital for Randalstown.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3 Larne v Holywood
A potential league decider at this early stage of the season. Larne impressed with a 48-12 Gordon West Cup win at Lurgan last weekend. In the same competition Holywood proved too strong for Civil Service at Stormont winning 55-7. This fixture will bring out a large crowd. Larne were relegated from Qualifying Two with Holywood winning Qualifying Four and the Gordon West Cup last season. Letterkenny v Monaghan
Both teams suffered heavy defeats to Donegal; 44-0 in Gordon West Cup and 68-0 in the league respectively. Monaghan bounced back with a 34-5 victory away to Cavan last Saturday in the Gordon West Cup. Letterkenny to win. PSNI v Newry
Ophir recorded a 46-22 win over the PSNI last Saturday in the Gordon West Cup. Newry won their opening league game against Lurgan 23-20. Expect PSNI to win this one.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4 Armoy v Ophir
Ophir have impressed with a opening day league win over BHSFP (55-11) and a Gordon West Cup win over PSNI (46-22). Armoy lost their Gordon West Cup match at home to BHSFP 25-10 last Saturday and Ophir will start as favourites. Cavan v Civil Service
This is a difficult game to call. Civil Service will look to reverse their heavy Cup defeat to Holywood by picking up their first league points at Cavan. Virginia v BHSFP
An interesting game in prospect. Virginia recorded an impressive 20-15 win at home over Newry in the Gordon West Cup last Saturday. Former Malone and Ballymena player Rhys Botha was pivotal in influencing the BHSFP win at Armoy, but his side will face a difficult task on Saturday.
KUKRO QUALIFYING LEAGUE 1 What an opening three weeks we have had to the league programme. UUC after two early defeats were unlucky to lose narrowly to a last minute try at Coleraine. All the teams in the league are capable of beating each other, making every round of fixtures extremely competitive and entertaining. Ballymoney v Cooke
After an opening day win at Coleraine, Cooke have slumped to defeats at home to Dromore and away to Donaghadee. Ballymoney secured a valuable draw at Dromore after defeats to Clogher Valley and Coleraine. New Cooke coach Colin Atkinson will be looking to turn around the fortunes of the Shaw's Bridge club, who finished a disappointing 8th last season. This fixture is being billed as a bottom of the table clash already with a win vital for both sides. CIYMS v Donaghadee
CI will have been disappointed with an under par performance in their 17-6 loss at Portadown last Saturday. The loss of scrumhalf Michael Wilson to injury was a major blow to the Belmont team, who will be looking to get back to winning ways. The 'Dee players have an inspirational player in their own number 9, Alastair Lockhart, and they will travel with confidence to take home four league points. Despite losing some key players the 'Dee squad has introduced several new faces to their playing squad this season. CI will be expected to win but 'Dee have the ability to pull off another win to strengthen their pursuit of a top four finish. Clogher Valley v Portadown
Table toppers Portadown will travel with confidence to the Cran after three league wins against potential league contenders. Coaches Richard Hedley and Ciaran O'Kane know a win will strengthen their grip on the league. Clogher Valley lost a tight game at Bangor when poor handling cost them the points. Expect the Fivemiletown team to bounce back and they should win at home. Coleraine v Bangor
On paper you would expect Bangor to win. Coleraine, under the guidance of coach Richard Beggs and captain Stephen Douglas have bounced back from an opening day defeat to Cooke to storm up the league table. Their near neighbours UUC almost pulled off a shock win at Sandel Lodge but thanks to South Afircan Bakkies Carsten they secured a last minute win courtesy of his try. Bangor, under the guidance of coach Rupert Preston and influential captain Jamie Clegg, have demonstrated they have the strength in depth to compete for the league. A fascinating contest in prospect but Bangor should win. UUC V Dromore
Another difficult fixture to call. The students will have taken confidence from their narrow defeat at near neighbours Coleraine. Winger Sam Hall has once again demonstrated his try scoring prowess when given the opportunity. Student coaches Nathan Moore and Ryan Milligan will be confident their team can secure their first league win. Dromore coaches Dewet Bekker and Jeremy Ogle will want to build on their impressive away win at Cooke.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 2 Ballyclare v Enniskillen
Coach Bob Young and captain Robert Boyd will have been pleased by Ballyclare's two early season wins in the league. Is there any other team in the league capable of challenging their push for promotion to Kukri Qualifying One? Opponents Enniskillen required a last minute try to win 8-6 at home to Carrickfergus last Saturday. Can the men from Fermanagh stall their charge. Skins coach Alastair McKee and Captain Ricky Connor have a difficult task. Ballyclare to win. Carrickfergus v Limavady
Failure to take their scoring opportunities cost Carrick dearly at Enniskillen. Limavady were overwhelmed by Ballyclare so both teams are on the rebound. Lisburn v Strabane
Newly promoted Strabane will play their first competitive game in Qualifying Two at Blaris on Saturday. Their coaches Willy Gibson, formerly Enniskillen, and Adrian Hamilton, formerly Omagh, have the task of moulding a team to compete in this highly competitive league. The coaches are optimistic they can hold their own in this league. Lisburn will present a stern test after they bounced back to secure a 13-13 draw at Academy. Lisburn should be too strong. Randalstown v Academy
This Antrim derby is important for both clubs with Randalstown looking to build on their excellent Junior Cup win at Rainey. Academy will have been disappointed to throw away their lead at home to Lisburn in their opening league game. Home advantage could prove vital for Randalstown.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 3 Larne v Holywood
A potential league decider at this early stage of the season. Larne impressed with a 48-12 Gordon West Cup win at Lurgan last weekend. In the same competition Holywood proved too strong for Civil Service at Stormont winning 55-7. This fixture will bring out a large crowd. Larne were relegated from Qualifying Two with Holywood winning Qualifying Four and the Gordon West Cup last season. Letterkenny v Monaghan
Both teams suffered heavy defeats to Donegal; 44-0 in Gordon West Cup and 68-0 in the league respectively. Monaghan bounced back with a 34-5 victory away to Cavan last Saturday in the Gordon West Cup. Letterkenny to win. PSNI v Newry
Ophir recorded a 46-22 win over the PSNI last Saturday in the Gordon West Cup. Newry won their opening league game against Lurgan 23-20. Expect PSNI to win this one.
KUKRI QUALIFYING LEAGUE 4 Armoy v Ophir
Ophir have impressed with a opening day league win over BHSFP (55-11) and a Gordon West Cup win over PSNI (46-22). Armoy lost their Gordon West Cup match at home to BHSFP 25-10 last Saturday and Ophir will start as favourites. Cavan v Civil Service
This is a difficult game to call. Civil Service will look to reverse their heavy Cup defeat to Holywood by picking up their first league points at Cavan. Virginia v BHSFP
An interesting game in prospect. Virginia recorded an impressive 20-15 win at home over Newry in the Gordon West Cup last Saturday. Former Malone and Ballymena player Rhys Botha was pivotal in influencing the BHSFP win at Armoy, but his side will face a difficult task on Saturday.