ARMAGH v INSTONIANS
Both coaches, Andy Hughes and William Leacock, will use this fixture at the Palace Grounds to build on the progress made by their young squads this season. The teams may be at opposite ends of Division 2B of the Ulster Bank League, but the Shaws Bridge side are confident that they can use this block of fixtures to win games and build momentum for the resumption of the their All Ireland games. Armagh are slight favourites.
BALLYMENA v ARDS
Coach Andy Graham will know ...
ARMAGH v INSTONIANS Both coaches, Andy Hughes and William Leacock, will use this fixture at the Palace Grounds to build on the progress made by their young squads this season. The teams may be at opposite ends of Division 2B of the Ulster Bank League, but the Shaws Bridge side are confident that they can use this block of fixtures to win games and build momentum for the resumption of the their All Ireland games. Armagh are slight favourites. BALLYMENA v ARDS Coach Andy Graham will know his Eaton Park side have struggled to win recent Ulster Bank League games. He will use these fixtures to expose squad players to 1st XV rugby. He will also be mindful of his team's position in the league and the need to secure maximum points from this game. Ards coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by his team's performance against Tullamore last Saturday. Ballymena to win. BALLYNAHINCH v RAINEY How will Hinch respond to their First Trust Senior Cup Final defeat at Ravenhill on Wednesday? With their 2nds also involved in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final next Tuesday so coach Derek Sufferin's large squad will be stretched to the max. One point separates the two sides at the top of the league. Both sides will want to maintain their challenge for league honours and Rainey coach Richard Boyd will want to turn around a disappointing three defeats in the UBL. An intriguing game in which much will depend on team selections and how hungry both clubs are for the league title. Expect a high scoring game at Ballymacarn Park, with the hosts likely to prevail. BANBRIDGE v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY An interesting game is in store at Rifle Park. First Trust Senior Cup winners Queen's University have already beaten Banbridge 21-7 in their semi final and 13-21 at Rifle Park in the UBL this season. Banbridge have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks with two well deserved wins at Ballymena (15-17) and at home to Rainey (29-10). Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best will not want to suffer a third defeat to the students before Christmas. Once again the students picked up several more injuries in the Senior Cup Final to add to their already lengthening list. Bann forwards have been dominant over opposition sides and with a depleted students pack the County Down side would expect to be firm favourites to win this game. Can the students maintain their challenge for league honours? BELFAST HARLEQUINS v CITY OF DERRY 'Quins coach Adam Larkin will have been pleased with the recent performances of his players despite going down narrowly to a Corinthians side minus their Connacht contingent (19-21) last Saturday. The Deramore Park side are mid table in UBL Division 1B and have the opportunity to expose squad players to senior rugby with the second half of a lengthy season still to come. City of Derry caches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair have had to contend with a lengthy injury list in recent weeks. Both coaches will look to add playing strength to their Ulster Bank League squad to mount a challenge for promotion in the coming months. Belfast Harlequins to win. DUNGANNON v MALONE The two Ulster Bank League Division 1B sides will use this game as a marker for the remainder of the season. Both coaches will again use squad players to look at different combinations in their quest to turn round the fortunes of both their 1st XVs. Dungannon, with home advantage, are likely to win. A great game on the cards.
ARMAGH v INSTONIANS Both coaches, Andy Hughes and William Leacock, will use this fixture at the Palace Grounds to build on the progress made by their young squads this season. The teams may be at opposite ends of Division 2B of the Ulster Bank League, but the Shaws Bridge side are confident that they can use this block of fixtures to win games and build momentum for the resumption of the their All Ireland games. Armagh are slight favourites. BALLYMENA v ARDS Coach Andy Graham will know his Eaton Park side have struggled to win recent Ulster Bank League games. He will use these fixtures to expose squad players to 1st XV rugby. He will also be mindful of his team's position in the league and the need to secure maximum points from this game. Ards coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by his team's performance against Tullamore last Saturday. Ballymena to win. BALLYNAHINCH v RAINEY How will Hinch respond to their First Trust Senior Cup Final defeat at Ravenhill on Wednesday? With their 2nds also involved in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup Final next Tuesday so coach Derek Sufferin's large squad will be stretched to the max. One point separates the two sides at the top of the league. Both sides will want to maintain their challenge for league honours and Rainey coach Richard Boyd will want to turn around a disappointing three defeats in the UBL. An intriguing game in which much will depend on team selections and how hungry both clubs are for the league title. Expect a high scoring game at Ballymacarn Park, with the hosts likely to prevail. BANBRIDGE v QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY An interesting game is in store at Rifle Park. First Trust Senior Cup winners Queen's University have already beaten Banbridge 21-7 in their semi final and 13-21 at Rifle Park in the UBL this season. Banbridge have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks with two well deserved wins at Ballymena (15-17) and at home to Rainey (29-10). Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best will not want to suffer a third defeat to the students before Christmas. Once again the students picked up several more injuries in the Senior Cup Final to add to their already lengthening list. Bann forwards have been dominant over opposition sides and with a depleted students pack the County Down side would expect to be firm favourites to win this game. Can the students maintain their challenge for league honours? BELFAST HARLEQUINS v CITY OF DERRY 'Quins coach Adam Larkin will have been pleased with the recent performances of his players despite going down narrowly to a Corinthians side minus their Connacht contingent (19-21) last Saturday. The Deramore Park side are mid table in UBL Division 1B and have the opportunity to expose squad players to senior rugby with the second half of a lengthy season still to come. City of Derry caches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair have had to contend with a lengthy injury list in recent weeks. Both coaches will look to add playing strength to their Ulster Bank League squad to mount a challenge for promotion in the coming months. Belfast Harlequins to win. DUNGANNON v MALONE The two Ulster Bank League Division 1B sides will use this game as a marker for the remainder of the season. Both coaches will again use squad players to look at different combinations in their quest to turn round the fortunes of both their 1st XVs. Dungannon, with home advantage, are likely to win. A great game on the cards.