BANBRIDGE (10th) v BRUFF (16th)
The County Down side make the long journey to Limerick, looking to secure their third consecutive win in the AIL, to follow on from wins over City of Derry and an impressive 19-12 win at Highfield last Saturday. What will have impressed coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best has been the form of the forwards in stepping up to their opponents in the set pieces and at the breakdown. It is no secret that the presence of Club Captain and Ulster scrum half Ian Porter has led to the team scoring six tries in their last two matches. Bruff have been left with two games in hand and in their last outing won 26 - 15 at Naas on the 25th January. This is a vital game for both sides with Banbridge looking to finish in the top half of the table. Banbridge would be expected to win, but we could see an upset if the underdogs rise to the occasion.
OLD WESLEY (9th) v RAINEY OB (8th)
This promises to be a fascinating game with four points separating the two sides. Coaches Richard Boyd and John Andrews will have been delighted with the character shown by their side in defeating Queens at the Dub last Saturday 23-21. Having had to play the last sixty five minutes with fourteen players having their backrow Jonny Lees sent off, they not only had to deal with a 14-3 deficit at half time, but recovered to take a 23-21 lead and endure eleven minutes of injury time only to watch anxiously as Queens out half Ritchie McMaster miss four second half penalties including two in injury time. His opposite number Mark O'Connor put in a fine display of kicking to keep the scoreboard ticking over for his side. Having watched the game, Rainey were deserving winners with Captain Neil O'Kane putting in an exemplary display by leading by example in terms of ball carrying. Having a strong replacement bench enabled the coaches to rotate players during an enthralling second half. A win this Sat for the Magherfelt side would move them into contention for promotion. This game will be the first of two visits by the South Derry side to Donnybrook in eight days as they play Old Wesley's partners at Donnybrook, Bective Rangers on Saturday week. An important eight days for the players that could define their season. Old Wesley have lost to Ulster sides City of Derry and Queens in recent weeks. Their string of form however, makes this a close game to call.
DIVISION 2B
INSTONIANS (15th) v DLSP (11th)
Coaches William Leacock and Mark McDowell were disappointed with the narrow 14-8 defeat at home to Tullamore last Saturday. A valuable losing bonus point was gained with four matches remaining after this weekend in the AIL against Richmond, Sundays Well, Sligo and bottom side Suttonians. First up is a game with DLSP who have yet to win away from home in the AIL. The coaches and players will be aware how close Armagh came to slipping up against bottom side Suttonians last Saturday at the Palace grounds. Instonians have their strongest squad available with players including Josh Atkinson, Matthew Kilpatrick and Captain Paddy Marks on board. This should create another very closely contested game. The faithful supporters turned out in large numbers last Saturday to support Instionians. Their support however, will be needed once again to cheer the players onto a much needed win, which could prove vital to their season hopes.