ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A
CITY OF DERRY v BALLYMENA
The clash of Derry and Ballymena at Judges Road is sure to attract one of the biggest crowds to an Ulster club fixture this season. Both clubs have ambitions to secure promotion to Division 1B. Derry have already recorded a 15-13 USL win over the County Antrim side this season. Ballymena coach Andy Graham had asked his squad players to make a push for 1st XV places during the Ulster Senior League window. Their response was ...
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A CITY OF DERRY v BALLYMENA The clash of Derry and Ballymena at Judges Road is sure to attract one of the biggest crowds to an Ulster club fixture this season. Both clubs have ambitions to secure promotion to Division 1B. Derry have already recorded a 15-13 USL win over the County Antrim side this season. Ballymena coach Andy Graham had asked his squad players to make a push for 1st XV places during the Ulster Senior League window. Their response was impressive with three wins over Ards (50-0), Rainey (43-16) and Instonians (62-3), scoring 22 tries. Their 2nds also recorded a 24-3 win against Qualifying League 1 champions Portadown at Chambers Park last Saturday. The only concern for the coaching staff this weekend will be how many of their 1st XV squad will be used by the Ulster Ravens in their British & Irish Cup game against Jersey on Saturday. In previous games Matthew Rea, Adrian Hamilton, Ricky Andrew and Dave Shanahan have all played for the Ravens. City of Derry don't have any players involved with the Ravens and coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair have rotated their squad to maintain competition within their squad. The gulf between the two squads was emphasised last weekend when City of Derry 2nds were beaten 48-10 by Bangor in the Powerade Towns Cup. Home advantage may count for City of Derry who are still missing influential outhalf Richard McCarter. BARNHALL v BANBRIDGE For Daniel Soper and his players the disappointment of coming up short in several games this season has put the County Down side under pressure as they look to push clear of the relegation zone. The trip to Barnhall this weekend will be difficult as the County Kildare side continue their push for promotion. Bann were missing their influential leader Jonny Graham last weekend but their pack continues to impress. The coaches have yet to settle on their backline as they try out different combinations. The performances of halfbacks Lee Steenson and Adam Doherty have the potential to steer the Bann side to a mid table position. RAINEY v NAAS The Magherfelt side has suffered three defeats during their Ulster Senior League programme. Injuries continue to present selection problems for coach Richard Boyd as his side look to bounce back from three consecutive defeats in the Ulster Bank League. After going through UBL 2B last season as undefeated champions the South Derry side have gone from potential promotion contenders to 11th place in the league. Captain Neil O'Kane will look to the experience of Stephen Rutledge, Michael Shiels, Paul Heaney and Colin Mitchell, along with backs Nicholas Stirling and Mark O'Connor to guide the younger players through this difficult period. Naas will be difficult opponents as Queen's and Ballymena will testify, but the hosts should win. SEAPOINT v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY First Trust Senior Cup holders Queen's have experienced a difficult recent run with injuries depleting the playing resources available to coach Paddy Armstrong. Two defeats to Banbridge and Ballynahinch were followed by a narrow 16-13 win over Armagh. The four week break for several of their senior players will enable the students to come back ready to push for promotion. Ulster Ravens call ups this weekend will hopefully not weaken the team as they face difficult opponents in Dublin. Captain Stuart McIIwaine and his talented backline will look to their hard working back row of Ryan and Matt Clarke, along with Stuart Hooks to provide much needed ball for the backs. Queen's to win.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B INSTONIANS v ARMAGH The Ulster derby at Shaw's Bridge between Instonians and Armagh has importance for both sides as Armagh look to maintain their promotion challenge whilst Instonians need a win to move away from relegation worries. Eight points separate ten sides with Suttonians bottom - yet to win a game this season - rooted to the bottom. Instonians have won two of their seven matches in the Ulster Bank League, both at home. Armagh have five wins from seven with two disappointing away defeats to Richmond and Navan positioning them in fourth place - nine points behind league leaders Nenagh. Inst No 8 Andy McKeen remains an influential leader in the young Inst pack. The loss of their injured winger, Matt Kilpatrick, has been a blow to William Leacock's side. Armagh recorded a narrow 17-16 win over Inst at the Palace Grounds before Christmas in the Senior League after coming back from 16-3 down. In the same competition, one impressive 6-0 win over Dungannon was overturned by a 62-3 defeat at home to Ballymena. Armagh coach Andy Hughes will not want his side to lose their third consecutive away game in the UBL. Armagh half backs Harry Doyle and Richard Reaney will have a vital role to play in the outcome of this game. Armagh to win. RICHAMOND v ARDS This game in Limerick is crucial as these two teams look to push clear of the relegation zone. Ards are in 10th place whilst Richmond sit in 15th place, three points behind Ards. After a bright start to their Ulster Bank League campaign where they won three out of their opening four league games, Ards have lost three consecutive matches. The club has also struggled in the Ulster Senior League, with player unavailability and injuries leading to heavy defeats to Ballymena, Armagh and Malone in their last three outings. The return of several injured players has strengthen the squad travelling to Limerick, with the inclusion of John Dowey, Jonny Wylie and Mattie Weir in the forwards and Davy Parkhill in the backs. The County Down team will travel with a degree of confidence.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2A CITY OF DERRY v BALLYMENA The clash of Derry and Ballymena at Judges Road is sure to attract one of the biggest crowds to an Ulster club fixture this season. Both clubs have ambitions to secure promotion to Division 1B. Derry have already recorded a 15-13 USL win over the County Antrim side this season. Ballymena coach Andy Graham had asked his squad players to make a push for 1st XV places during the Ulster Senior League window. Their response was impressive with three wins over Ards (50-0), Rainey (43-16) and Instonians (62-3), scoring 22 tries. Their 2nds also recorded a 24-3 win against Qualifying League 1 champions Portadown at Chambers Park last Saturday. The only concern for the coaching staff this weekend will be how many of their 1st XV squad will be used by the Ulster Ravens in their British & Irish Cup game against Jersey on Saturday. In previous games Matthew Rea, Adrian Hamilton, Ricky Andrew and Dave Shanahan have all played for the Ravens. City of Derry don't have any players involved with the Ravens and coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair have rotated their squad to maintain competition within their squad. The gulf between the two squads was emphasised last weekend when City of Derry 2nds were beaten 48-10 by Bangor in the Powerade Towns Cup. Home advantage may count for City of Derry who are still missing influential outhalf Richard McCarter. BARNHALL v BANBRIDGE For Daniel Soper and his players the disappointment of coming up short in several games this season has put the County Down side under pressure as they look to push clear of the relegation zone. The trip to Barnhall this weekend will be difficult as the County Kildare side continue their push for promotion. Bann were missing their influential leader Jonny Graham last weekend but their pack continues to impress. The coaches have yet to settle on their backline as they try out different combinations. The performances of halfbacks Lee Steenson and Adam Doherty have the potential to steer the Bann side to a mid table position. RAINEY v NAAS The Magherfelt side has suffered three defeats during their Ulster Senior League programme. Injuries continue to present selection problems for coach Richard Boyd as his side look to bounce back from three consecutive defeats in the Ulster Bank League. After going through UBL 2B last season as undefeated champions the South Derry side have gone from potential promotion contenders to 11th place in the league. Captain Neil O'Kane will look to the experience of Stephen Rutledge, Michael Shiels, Paul Heaney and Colin Mitchell, along with backs Nicholas Stirling and Mark O'Connor to guide the younger players through this difficult period. Naas will be difficult opponents as Queen's and Ballymena will testify, but the hosts should win. SEAPOINT v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY First Trust Senior Cup holders Queen's have experienced a difficult recent run with injuries depleting the playing resources available to coach Paddy Armstrong. Two defeats to Banbridge and Ballynahinch were followed by a narrow 16-13 win over Armagh. The four week break for several of their senior players will enable the students to come back ready to push for promotion. Ulster Ravens call ups this weekend will hopefully not weaken the team as they face difficult opponents in Dublin. Captain Stuart McIIwaine and his talented backline will look to their hard working back row of Ryan and Matt Clarke, along with Stuart Hooks to provide much needed ball for the backs. Queen's to win.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 2B INSTONIANS v ARMAGH The Ulster derby at Shaw's Bridge between Instonians and Armagh has importance for both sides as Armagh look to maintain their promotion challenge whilst Instonians need a win to move away from relegation worries. Eight points separate ten sides with Suttonians bottom - yet to win a game this season - rooted to the bottom. Instonians have won two of their seven matches in the Ulster Bank League, both at home. Armagh have five wins from seven with two disappointing away defeats to Richmond and Navan positioning them in fourth place - nine points behind league leaders Nenagh. Inst No 8 Andy McKeen remains an influential leader in the young Inst pack. The loss of their injured winger, Matt Kilpatrick, has been a blow to William Leacock's side. Armagh recorded a narrow 17-16 win over Inst at the Palace Grounds before Christmas in the Senior League after coming back from 16-3 down. In the same competition, one impressive 6-0 win over Dungannon was overturned by a 62-3 defeat at home to Ballymena. Armagh coach Andy Hughes will not want his side to lose their third consecutive away game in the UBL. Armagh half backs Harry Doyle and Richard Reaney will have a vital role to play in the outcome of this game. Armagh to win. RICHAMOND v ARDS This game in Limerick is crucial as these two teams look to push clear of the relegation zone. Ards are in 10th place whilst Richmond sit in 15th place, three points behind Ards. After a bright start to their Ulster Bank League campaign where they won three out of their opening four league games, Ards have lost three consecutive matches. The club has also struggled in the Ulster Senior League, with player unavailability and injuries leading to heavy defeats to Ballymena, Armagh and Malone in their last three outings. The return of several injured players has strengthen the squad travelling to Limerick, with the inclusion of John Dowey, Jonny Wylie and Mattie Weir in the forwards and Davy Parkhill in the backs. The County Down team will travel with a degree of confidence.