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Once again the drama and excitement of the Qualifying leagues has five points separating the top five sides in Qualifying One with Fivemiletown team Clogher Valley leading the charge with the others in pursuit. Ballyclare are dominating Qualifying Two. Can clubs including Grosvenor, Omagh and Academy mount a challenge to them. In Qualifying Three Holywood made a big statement of intent last weekend by defeating Larne 46 – 22. In Qualifying Four BHSFPs are the surprise leaders following their two wins.
Qualifying One
CIYMS v Clogher Valley.
Belmont will witness another drama filled fixture when Clogher Valley are the visitors. Following on from their win over the Dee this is a must win game for Stuart Ferguson and his CI team. The Fivemiletown team will want to extend their lead at the top of the table to open up distance between them and their league rivals. A much changed Clogher team has adapted to the challenges in this league with young Captain Stephen Baxter being an inspirational leader. Close game to call. CI to win.
Cooke v UUC
Who would have thought that Cooke with the playing personnel at their disposal would be propping up Qualifying One with UUC. This is a must win game for Coach Colin Atkinson and his team. The students know a defeat would make them favourites for relegation. After pushing Coleraine close the students shipped fifty points in their home defeat to Dromore last Sat. Cooke to win
Donaghadee v Ballymoney
Encounters in recent seasons between these two sides are always keenly contested. The Dee were missing several experienced players due to a Stag weekend for the game with CI. With the potential return of the front five forwards this week the Dee would be favourites to win. Ballymoney secured a valuable 15 – 15 draw at Dromore to follow up with a emphatic 37 – 7 win over Cooke last Saturday. Jason Taggart and his team could cause a surprise at Donaldson Park. Ballymoney to win.
Dromore v Bangor
Dromore have recovered from an opening day lost at Donaghadee to third place in the league. Bangor sit one point behind with a game in hand. Barban Hill will be noisey with a large local support coming out to cheer on their team. Impressive wins by Bangor at home to Clogher Valley and away to Coleraine make the seasiders favourites to win this match. Both teams play open entertaining rugby with two talented backlines on display. Should be quite a spectacle. Dromore are capable of causing an upset. Bangor to win. Only just.
Portadown v Coleraine
Despite dominating Clogher Valley at the Cran last Sat. Portadown still lost this game 10 – 5. Coach Richard Hedley knows his side cannot afford to drop any further points in this league. Coleraine established a 17 – 0 lead at home to Bangor last Sat to end up losing 37 – 17. Have the the team from the North coast the character to bounce back from this defeat and take the scalp of the current champions. Chambers Park has witnessed the home side defeat potential challengers Donaghadee and CI in recent weeks. Portadown should win but dont rule out a surprise result.
Qualifying Two
Current leaders Ballyclare have the weekend off along with Randalstown. Is there an opportunity for some of the potential challengers to close the gap this weekend.
Enniskillen v Grosvenor
Any trip by a visiting team to Mullaghmeen is difficult for the visitors as the home side always raise their game. Despite losing 47 – 17 away to leaders Ballyclare last Sat the skins still managed to score three tries. These scores will give them the confidence to take on the challenge of undefeated Grosvenor who under the guidance of coach Peter Lowry defeated Omagh at Belmont two weeks ago. Grosvenor should win but the Fermanagh men can cause an upset. Grosvenor to win.
Lisburn v Carrickfergus
Lisburn recorded an emphatic 38 – 12 win at home to newly promoted Strabane last Sat to follow up their impressive 13 – 13 draw at Academy. Carrick lost narrowly at Enniskillen to win at home last Sat against Limavady 10 – 3. Will be a closely contested game at Blaris. Lisburn to win.
Omagh v Academy
Having lost 25 – 23 at Grosvenor Omagh coach Phil Marshall and his Captain Ally Ferguson know a win is crucial in their push for promotion. A confidence boosting win over Armagh seconds last Sat should see a win for the Mellon Park team. After being relegated Academy have had a solid start to their league programme with a home draw to Lisburn and an impressive 23 – 20 win at Randalstown. The visit to Omagh will test the playing resources of the Roughfort team to compete for promotion in this league. Omagh to win
Strabane v Limavady
Their first home fixture in the league will bring out the supporters for this North West derby. Strabane competed well at Lisburn scoring two tries. They still came out on the wrong side of a 38 -12 defeat. Home wins are crucial to surviving in this league. Limavady have lost their opening two league games at home to Ballyclare and away to Carrick. They did win a recent Junior Cup tie at Enniskillen. Strabane to win
Qualifying Three
Larne v Letterkenny
Larne will be reeling from their heavy 46 – 22 defeat away to Holywood last Sat. Injuries left the men from the Glynn with thirteen players on the park when they were in contention at one stage to win. Expect Laurence Kelly’s team to put in a strong performance. Letterkenny opened their league campaign with a 28 – 5 home win over Monaghan. larne to win
Monaghan v Holywood
Monaghan did win their opening Gordon West Cup match at Cavan 34 – 5 and then lost their league game at Letterkenny. Newly promoted Holywood are firm favourites to win promotion from this league after their emphatic win over Larne. Could be a difficult day for the Monaghan team. Holywood to win.
Newry v Donegal
Newry won their opening league game at Lurgan and lost 24 – 11 to the PSNI last weekend. Donegal have impressed with a 44 – 0 win at Letterkenny in the Gordon West Cup and a 68 – 0 home league win over Monaghan. Donegal to win.
Qualifying Four
Armoy v Londonderry YMCA
Armoy have lost their two home games to BHSFPs and Ophir in the Gordon West Cup and the league respectively. The YMCA had their opening league game away to BHSFPs postponed and a bye in the first round of Gordon West Cup fixtures. Willy Lamrock is managing the reigns at the YM who have appointed former Enniskillen and City of Derry player Rodney Balfour as their Coach for 2013/14. Londonderry YMCA to win.
BHSFPs v Civil Service
There is a buzz around Greenisland with the High School Former Pupils recording two league wins in their opening league games. Civil Service under the guidance of coach Roy Lawton secured a hard earned 12 – 0 win at Cavan last Sat. Former Ulster and Ireland player Jimmy McCoy has been assisting with the coaching at Stormont. BHSFPs to win
Virginia v Cavan
This County derby is sure to attract a large crowd. Both teams lost their home league games to BHSFPs 15 – 9 and Civil Service 12- 0. Virginia recorded a 20 – 15 win over Newry in the Gordon West Cup. Virginia to win.
