ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A
BANBRIDGE (12th) v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (5th), Rifle Park
Rifle Park will host one of the most eagerly awaited club fixtures in Ulster rugby with the impressive Queen's team visiting. The students have been a dominant force in the Ulster Senior League this season with only one defeat (46-44 away to Ballymena). Their talented backline including McAuley, Colvin and McIIwaine scored their four tries in a hard earned bonus point win over Highfield last Saturday ...
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A BANBRIDGE (12th) v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (5th), Rifle Park Rifle Park will host one of the most eagerly awaited club fixtures in Ulster rugby with the impressive Queen's team visiting. The students have been a dominant force in the Ulster Senior League this season with only one defeat (46-44 away to Ballymena). Their talented backline including McAuley, Colvin and McIIwaine scored their four tries in a hard earned bonus point win over Highfield last Saturday by 27-22 at the Dub. Banbridge made the trip to County Offaly to take on Cashel. After leading 13-3 at half time, the Ian Porter inspired Bann team succumbed to the power of their hosts, conceding 23 unanswered points in the second half to lose 26-13. Bann coach Daniel Soper knows his team will have to step up this weekend if they are to take any points from this fixture. Both sides should be in the mix for the season so this is an intriguing game on Saturday. Highfield (10th) v BALLYMENA (2nd), Woodleigh Park Highfield lost by five points to Queen's in their opening game so they will be aiming for their first win on home turf this weekend. But they face a tough task against a resurgent Ballymena. There is an air of optimism at Eaton Park following the Braidmen's convincing 37-14 win over Galwegians. In the process Ballymena scored six tries with the in-form Jordan Foster scoring two tries to add to his tally of seven in his last four games. A win for Ballymena will build on their early season progress. You'd have to favour the visitors to take the points this weekend as they aim to set out their stall early in the season. NUIM Barnhall (4th) v CITY OF DERRY (3rd), Parsonstown Match of the day in Division 2A? It certainly has all the hallmarks. City of Derry travel to Parsonstown in County Kildare to take on newly promoted NUM Barnhall. The home team will have a good measure of where they stand given their visitors beat Rainey (who were promoted alongside NUIM Barnhall) last weekend. Both sides recorded a try bonus on the opening day of the league against sides with something to prove. Barnhall won 33-13 at relegated Bruff, scoring four tries and taking the maximum five points, while City of Derry showed the pace and power to overwhelm Ulster neighbours Rainey 42-21, scoring five tries. Star performer for City of Derry was outhalf Richard McCarter who contributed 17 points. RAINEY OB (14th) v Seapoint (8th), Hatrick Park A tough opening day in Division 2A for Rainey last weekend as they were well beaten by City of Derry. Seapoint edged out Bective by 27-24 in their opening game at Kilbogget Park. Two former Junior clubs who both used the Ulster Bank Junior Cup as a platform for promotion - it should be a game well worth catching. Previous encounters between these two sides have been close but expect a fired up Rainey squad to bounce back and secure that all important first win. ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B INSTONIANS (16th) v Navan (8th), Shaws Bridge Inst. struggled to 11th place last season and in conceding over 400 points had the second worst defensive record in the division. Last Saturday saw them well beaten by newcomers Skerries and they really need get a result in Shaws Bridge on Saturday to get up and running. They conceded seven tries in the 44-3 defeat, with the pace and power of their opposition proved too much for William Leacock's squad. Navan will travel with confidence after winning their opening league game 13-9 at home to Sligo. Midleton (14th) V ARDS (5th), Towns Park Ards picked up what might be a valuable try bonus point at home on the opening day against Suttonians. It required a last min sixty metre penalty from fullback Paul Cox to secure that all important 28-27 win. Can new captain Rob McCausland and his Ards team mates go on the road and get a result this weekend? Relegated Midleton lost their opening game 34-17 away to Nenagh but the odds favour a home win. Sunday's Well (15th) v ARMAGH (7th), Musgrave Park Armagh make the trip to Cork on the back of a six point win over DLSP (23-17) last weekend. Captain Richard Reaney and coach Andrew Hughes will require another workmanlike performance from his team to follow up their impressive opening day win. Sunday's Well were well beaten at Thomond last Saturday, conceding five tries in a 35-14 loss. This time last year the Ulster side won this game by 45-6 in the Palace Grounds - they look set to repeat the result but will it be by the same margin?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A BANBRIDGE (12th) v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (5th), Rifle Park Rifle Park will host one of the most eagerly awaited club fixtures in Ulster rugby with the impressive Queen's team visiting. The students have been a dominant force in the Ulster Senior League this season with only one defeat (46-44 away to Ballymena). Their talented backline including McAuley, Colvin and McIIwaine scored their four tries in a hard earned bonus point win over Highfield last Saturday by 27-22 at the Dub. Banbridge made the trip to County Offaly to take on Cashel. After leading 13-3 at half time, the Ian Porter inspired Bann team succumbed to the power of their hosts, conceding 23 unanswered points in the second half to lose 26-13. Bann coach Daniel Soper knows his team will have to step up this weekend if they are to take any points from this fixture. Both sides should be in the mix for the season so this is an intriguing game on Saturday. Highfield (10th) v BALLYMENA (2nd), Woodleigh Park Highfield lost by five points to Queen's in their opening game so they will be aiming for their first win on home turf this weekend. But they face a tough task against a resurgent Ballymena. There is an air of optimism at Eaton Park following the Braidmen's convincing 37-14 win over Galwegians. In the process Ballymena scored six tries with the in-form Jordan Foster scoring two tries to add to his tally of seven in his last four games. A win for Ballymena will build on their early season progress. You'd have to favour the visitors to take the points this weekend as they aim to set out their stall early in the season. NUIM Barnhall (4th) v CITY OF DERRY (3rd), Parsonstown Match of the day in Division 2A? It certainly has all the hallmarks. City of Derry travel to Parsonstown in County Kildare to take on newly promoted NUM Barnhall. The home team will have a good measure of where they stand given their visitors beat Rainey (who were promoted alongside NUIM Barnhall) last weekend. Both sides recorded a try bonus on the opening day of the league against sides with something to prove. Barnhall won 33-13 at relegated Bruff, scoring four tries and taking the maximum five points, while City of Derry showed the pace and power to overwhelm Ulster neighbours Rainey 42-21, scoring five tries. Star performer for City of Derry was outhalf Richard McCarter who contributed 17 points. RAINEY OB (14th) v Seapoint (8th), Hatrick Park A tough opening day in Division 2A for Rainey last weekend as they were well beaten by City of Derry. Seapoint edged out Bective by 27-24 in their opening game at Kilbogget Park. Two former Junior clubs who both used the Ulster Bank Junior Cup as a platform for promotion - it should be a game well worth catching. Previous encounters between these two sides have been close but expect a fired up Rainey squad to bounce back and secure that all important first win. ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B INSTONIANS (16th) v Navan (8th), Shaws Bridge Inst. struggled to 11th place last season and in conceding over 400 points had the second worst defensive record in the division. Last Saturday saw them well beaten by newcomers Skerries and they really need get a result in Shaws Bridge on Saturday to get up and running. They conceded seven tries in the 44-3 defeat, with the pace and power of their opposition proved too much for William Leacock's squad. Navan will travel with confidence after winning their opening league game 13-9 at home to Sligo. Midleton (14th) V ARDS (5th), Towns Park Ards picked up what might be a valuable try bonus point at home on the opening day against Suttonians. It required a last min sixty metre penalty from fullback Paul Cox to secure that all important 28-27 win. Can new captain Rob McCausland and his Ards team mates go on the road and get a result this weekend? Relegated Midleton lost their opening game 34-17 away to Nenagh but the odds favour a home win. Sunday's Well (15th) v ARMAGH (7th), Musgrave Park Armagh make the trip to Cork on the back of a six point win over DLSP (23-17) last weekend. Captain Richard Reaney and coach Andrew Hughes will require another workmanlike performance from his team to follow up their impressive opening day win. Sunday's Well were well beaten at Thomond last Saturday, conceding five tries in a 35-14 loss. This time last year the Ulster side won this game by 45-6 in the Palace Grounds - they look set to repeat the result but will it be by the same margin?