With just one week to go before the commencement of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League on Saturday 28th September, all Ulster teams will be expecting a big performance in this weekend's Ulster Senior League fixtures.
ARDS v INSTONIANS
Both teams will be confident of a win in this game at Hamilton Park. Ards were unlucky to lose narrowly 8-6 at Queen's, and coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by their first half performances against Rainey and Dungannon.
Instonians, under the ...
With just one week to go before the commencement of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League on Saturday 28th September, all Ulster teams will be expecting a big performance in this weekend's Ulster Senior League fixtures. ARDS v INSTONIANS Both teams will be confident of a win in this game at Hamilton Park. Ards were unlucky to lose narrowly 8-6 at Queen's, and coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by their first half performances against Rainey and Dungannon. Instonians, under the guidance of Wilbur Leacock have had an encourging start to the season. Instonians to win.
BALLYMENA v DUNGANNON The Braidmen bounced back from their First Trust Senior Cup defeat to Malone to win comfortably at 'Quins on Wednesday evening. Coaches Andy Graham, Nicky Wells and former Ulster prop Bryan Young will want to win this encounter. Dungannon have quietly put together two league wins to mount a challenge in the Ulster Senior League. Former Clogher Valley scrum half James Bates has taken on the captaincy of the 1st XV at Stevenson Park and his experience will prove crucial with a large number of youngsters in the ranks. Their six tries against Ards, including two from Bates and two from former Ballymoney wing Cormac McCartney, will enable them to travel with confidence to Eaton Park.
BALLYNAHINCH v BELFAST HARLEQUINS Ballymacarn Park proved a difficult venue for 'Quins 2nds last week in the Junior Cup when they were beaten 59-7 by 'Hinch. Another visit by the 'Quins 1st XV this week looks an equally daunting prospect for the Deramore Park men following their loss against Ballymena on Wednesday night. Current Ulster Senior League holders - 'Hinch secured a four try bonus point win at Banbridge to consolidate their grip on the league. Recent addition to the playing staff, New Zealand outhalf Richie Lobb, contributed 16 points in their win at Rifle Park. Ballynahinch to should have too much firepower for their visitors.
BANBRIDGE v ARMAGH Bann coach Daniel Soper will have taken a lot of positives from his team's committed performance against Ballynahinch. They host an Armagh team who postponed their game away to Derry. Coach Andy Hughes will want to reverse the home Senior Cup defeat to Banbridge last Saturday where his team were second best throughout. Both coaches will want a win prior to the start of the Ulster Bank League, but Banbridge start as favourites.
RAINEY v MALONE Rainey bounced back from their heavy First Trust Senior Cup defeat at home last Saturday to secure a hard earned win over a determined Instonians side on Wednesday. Rainey will want to win this game to build on their encouraging league performances prior to the start of the AIL league. Malone will want to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Queen's when the students dominated the second half to win comfortably. With Dungannon to face at Gibson Park in their opening Ulster Bank League game, coach Jacque Benade will look for a strong performance from his team. Rainey could register a rare win against the Belfast outfit.
Both City of Derry and Queen's University have no game this weekend. Queen's have sent out a strong message to their rivals in Ulster Bank League Division 2A that they will mount a serious challenge for promotion this season with wins in recent weeks over Division 1B sides Trinity, Belfast Harlequins and Malone. On present form they will push Ballynahinch all the way in the Ulster League. City of Derry, also competing in Division 2A, will be hopeful of improving on their impressive fourth place finish last season.
With just one week to go before the commencement of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League on Saturday 28th September, all Ulster teams will be expecting a big performance in this weekend's Ulster Senior League fixtures. ARDS v INSTONIANS Both teams will be confident of a win in this game at Hamilton Park. Ards were unlucky to lose narrowly 8-6 at Queen's, and coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by their first half performances against Rainey and Dungannon. Instonians, under the guidance of Wilbur Leacock have had an encourging start to the season. Instonians to win.
BALLYMENA v DUNGANNON The Braidmen bounced back from their First Trust Senior Cup defeat to Malone to win comfortably at 'Quins on Wednesday evening. Coaches Andy Graham, Nicky Wells and former Ulster prop Bryan Young will want to win this encounter. Dungannon have quietly put together two league wins to mount a challenge in the Ulster Senior League. Former Clogher Valley scrum half James Bates has taken on the captaincy of the 1st XV at Stevenson Park and his experience will prove crucial with a large number of youngsters in the ranks. Their six tries against Ards, including two from Bates and two from former Ballymoney wing Cormac McCartney, will enable them to travel with confidence to Eaton Park.
BALLYNAHINCH v BELFAST HARLEQUINS Ballymacarn Park proved a difficult venue for 'Quins 2nds last week in the Junior Cup when they were beaten 59-7 by 'Hinch. Another visit by the 'Quins 1st XV this week looks an equally daunting prospect for the Deramore Park men following their loss against Ballymena on Wednesday night. Current Ulster Senior League holders - 'Hinch secured a four try bonus point win at Banbridge to consolidate their grip on the league. Recent addition to the playing staff, New Zealand outhalf Richie Lobb, contributed 16 points in their win at Rifle Park. Ballynahinch to should have too much firepower for their visitors.
BANBRIDGE v ARMAGH Bann coach Daniel Soper will have taken a lot of positives from his team's committed performance against Ballynahinch. They host an Armagh team who postponed their game away to Derry. Coach Andy Hughes will want to reverse the home Senior Cup defeat to Banbridge last Saturday where his team were second best throughout. Both coaches will want a win prior to the start of the Ulster Bank League, but Banbridge start as favourites.
RAINEY v MALONE Rainey bounced back from their heavy First Trust Senior Cup defeat at home last Saturday to secure a hard earned win over a determined Instonians side on Wednesday. Rainey will want to win this game to build on their encouraging league performances prior to the start of the AIL league. Malone will want to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Queen's when the students dominated the second half to win comfortably. With Dungannon to face at Gibson Park in their opening Ulster Bank League game, coach Jacque Benade will look for a strong performance from his team. Rainey could register a rare win against the Belfast outfit.
Both City of Derry and Queen's University have no game this weekend. Queen's have sent out a strong message to their rivals in Ulster Bank League Division 2A that they will mount a serious challenge for promotion this season with wins in recent weeks over Division 1B sides Trinity, Belfast Harlequins and Malone. On present form they will push Ballynahinch all the way in the Ulster League. City of Derry, also competing in Division 2A, will be hopeful of improving on their impressive fourth place finish last season.