ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A:Saturday, April 14Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Clonakilty (15th) v Terenure (10th),The Vale
Clonakilty will be playing Division 2B rugby next season having struggled with demands of Division 2A and with a squad hit by the current economic reality.
Terenure are seven and seven for the season without ever troubling either end of the table.
There isn’t much at stake for either side but a win for Clon would be a positive end to a tough season while a win for ‘Nure would at least tip the scales in the win/loss ratio.
DLSP (9th) v Midleton (13th),Kirwan Park
A topsy turvy season for DLSP saw them leading the way pre Christmas only to suffer a serious slump in results since January.
Midleton could be in trouble this weekend if they lose and Thomond win at home. They would then be third from bottom and face a playoff against the club finishing third in Division 2B – one of Banbridge, NUIM Barnhall or Rainey.
Can ‘Salmo salvage something from their season or will the Cork side have the mettle to avoid the sticky end of seasn playoff?
Dublin University (1st) v Old Wesley (12th), College Park
A victory lap of sorts for Trinity as they have won 13 out of 14 to date and with it the league and promotion.
Beating Seapoint away last time out gave them the title and they will be presented with the trophy on their home ground this weekend regardless of the result.
Old Wesley for their part have struggled to make an impact this season despite recording four try bonuses.
Victory and celebration for the students and a raucous night in the Pav are on the cards.
Greystones (4th) v Bective Rangers (8th),Dr. Hickey Park
All three sides challenging for promotion are at home this weekend and all three face difficult opposition.
Greystones are the outside bet for promotion needing both Malone and Queens to lose but Dr. Hickey Park is likely to be pretty packed nonetheless.
Bective’s mid table finish reflects their 8 and 6 winning run and with a few bounces of the ball they might have been higher in the table.
A home win but will it be enough?
Instonians (15th) v Corinthians (5th),Shaws Bridge
The visitors effectively lost their promotion shot when they went down 0-7 at home to Thomond at the end of March.
They also effectively condemned Instonians to relegation as that win put Thomond five points clear of the Ulster side.
Division 2B beckons it would seem for the Ulster club as they trail Thomond by 5 points and are -62 worse off in the points difference.
Malone (2nd) v Seapoint (6th),Gibson Park
Malone are ahead of Queens in the race for promotion on points difference only and they face possibly the toughest task this weekend.
Seapoint’s loss to Trinity put an end to their promotion ambition for this season but they can reflect on a great run of form in recent years.
Malone have been impressive with four try bonuses and five losing bonuses. They can take the win and the promotion slot but they need to run up the scores to keep ahead of Queens.
Queens (3rd) v City of Derry (7th),Dub Lane
The third of the promotion chasing clashes and the wires will be alive between Gibson Park and Dub Lane.
Queens and Malone are level on 45 points but the students are seven points worse off in points difference.
Like Malone they face a side that was promoted last season – City of Derry. An Ulster derby when you need a win is not the easiest to negotiate.
2nd place in this division is going to the wire!
Thomond (14th) v Old Crescent (11th),Liam Fitzgerald Park
Barring a huge win for Instonians and or a total collapse by Thomond the home side look to be safe from automatic relegation.
They still face the prospect of a playoff though if they can’t steal ahead of Midleton.
With that in mind they need a win here and a favour from DLSP. They may get the latter but they won’t get any favours from Limerick rivals Old Crescent.
A playoff beckons for Thomond.
Banbridge (2nd) v Wanderers (16th), Rifle Park
Both clubs will be regretting Banbridge’s recent form. Losses to Sunday’s Well and NUIM Barnhall mean they have to win on Saturday to guarantee promotion.
Had they won either of those games they would have far less to play for on Saturday.
Wanderers came so close to beating Cashel last time out but all they can do now is try and win this game and hope.
A home win puts Bann into Division 2A while an away win offers a slim lifeline. Needs must then in Rifle Park on Saturday afternoon in what amounts to Match of The Day in Division 2B.
Boyne (9th) v Nenagh Ormond (7th), Drogheda
In a season that saw one of their most famous alumni, Shane Horgan, retire from rugby Boyne can reflect on reasonable first season in the Ulster Bank League.
Ninth in the table with five wins and two draws are balanced by seven losses. Still they know what it takes and can build for next season.
Nenagh Ormond were one of the fancied teams pre-season but struggled for a consistent run of form. Both sides will hope to finish on a high with a win with the visitors probably slight favourites.
Cashel (1st) V Rainey Old Boys (4th), Spafield
Cashel will be crowned Division 2B champions on Saturday and they are sure to have a big crowd there to celebrate.
One target remains – winning all their games. It is always an ambition but Saturday could make it a reality.
The visitors though may spoil the party slightly as they are still in the chase for an automatic promotion spot or at the very least a playoff shot.
Connemara (10th) v NUIM Barnhall (3rd), Monastery Field
Six wins for Connemara so far this season shows the turnaround from last season. The hope for Connemara is that they can build again for next season and they will aim to finish with a win.
NUIM Barnhall trail Banbridge by two points so they need a win and they need Wanderers to win also if they are to take 2nd place in the Division.
Monastery Field is a tough place to visit but the Leinster side have shown they have a good combination of pace and power and can take the win on Saturday.
Highfield (5th) v Suttonians (12th), Woodleigh Park
Highfield could just nip into a promotion playoff spot if both Rainey and NUIM Barnhall lose on Saturday so this is a big game for them.
Suttonians have survived this season and weathered the loss of some experienced players and can look to next season to build again.
A home win is the more likely on form and on need.
Naas (8th) v Armagh (6th), Forenaughts
Naas’s mid table finish reflects their six wins and a draw tally for the season. On the whole they have struggle against some of the higher ranked teams but still cause problems on their day.
Armagh can reflect on a good first season in the Ulster Bank League and should be one of the fancied sides next season if they retain their squad.
Naas have beaten Nenagh Ormond and Ards in recent weeks while Armagh have beaten Highfield and Suttonians.
Navan (11th) v Ards (15th), Balreask Old
This is one of those games where everyone is interested in the result. The fate of Ards and Wanderers hinges on the outcome.
The irony is that an Ulster club – Ards – is travelling to Leinster while a Leinster club – Wandererers heads north.
A home win could see Navan improve their 11th place but Ards showed grit in beating Boyne last time out.
A win for the visitors means they live to fight another day in a playoff!
Sligo (14th) v Sunday’s Well (13th), Hamilton Park
A tough first season in the Ulster Bank League for Sligo but with more young players coming through the likes of Sligo Grammer and the IT they should be able to build a squad for next season.
The Well looked to be in trouble not so long ago but they picked up two vital wins, including a game in hand to survive once again.
The hosts are planning a big family day out in Strandhill for this game and you will always get a warm welcome. The match and the view of Knocknarea are worth the admission price alone.