What excitement we had in the opening Ulster Senior league and Qualifying One games last weekend. There were wins for Banbridge, Ballynahinch, Armagh, Dungannon and Malone in Senior rugby with Clogher Valley, Ballyclare, Dromore and Instonians opening their league programme with impressive opening wins in Q 1. Reports from the different venues reflected the growing attendances at these games and the quality and standard of rugby on show for spectators. It is also interesting to note the role Digital technology is playing in attracting new audiences to engage with and support their local community based rugby clubs. Between 3/400 spectators attended the Bangor match at Upritchard Park last Sat. Back to this weekend the action continues with the Ulster Senior League programme. Ballynahinch, Malone, Belfast Harlequins and Ballymena with use this weekends fixtures to look at different combinations and players challenging for a starting place in the AIL the following weekend.
Ballymena entertain Ards at Eaton Park. The Braid side were unlucky to lose 12 – 9 at Ballynahinch last Sat. They will welcome back the returning Stephen Mulholland at number 8 after injury. There is a buzz in the club with the signing of ex Preston Grasshoppers and English Counties full back Sean Taylor. This prolific points scorer will further strengthen an extended playing squad boosted by over twelve summer signings. Struggling Ards once again succumbed to a ten try defeat at home to a rampaging Banbridge team minus several players last weekend. Much work has to be done by Coach Stewart Porter and his players over the next two weeks. Injuries and unavailabilities continue to deplete their playing resources.
Banbridge coach Daniel Soper will welcome the sterner challenge City of Derry will provide at Rifle Park. The North West side suffered a surprise opening day defeat to a strong Armagh side at Judges Road. Expect a reaction from the Derry players.
Belfast Harlequins take on Queens at Deramore Park. Both sides are depleted due to players involved with Ulster representative sides over the next three weeks. Quins had a free weekend and will welcome eighty minutes of competitive action. The students were out scored five tries to three in their 27 – 15 defeat at home to Malone. With the exodus of several senior players from the student squad, new coach Bob Young has much work to do in preparing his talented squad for the AIL.
Malone face a rejuvenated Dungannon side who bounced back from being 17 – 0 down to Rainey after fifteen minutes to win 22 – 17 at Stevenson Park. The Sinnamon brothers in the front row along with the wily James Bates at scrum half orchestrated this morale boosting win. Malone Coach Jacque Benade has still to decide on his 1st xv squad for the opening AIL game with Buccaneers with several positions to be decided over the coming week.
Rainey coach Richard Boyd will have been disappointed with their defeat in the County Tyrone derby game. He has been experimenting with several new faces added to his playing squad. Much interest has focused on Ross McCloskey the younger brother of Ulster star Stewart who made a promising debut for the Magherfelt side last weekend. Reigning league champions Ballynahinch got over the finishing line with a narrow win over Ballymena. With several changes to the playing squad, Hinch coach Derek Suffern will expect a big performance from his players, as they strive to retain their grip on the Stevenson Shield.
The next game for Armagh is away to Old Crescent in the AIL on Sat the 20th September 2014.
All fixtures kick off at 2.30pm on Sat 6th September 2014.
Ballymena v Ards
Banbridge v City of Derry
Belfast Harlequins v Queens
Malone v Dungannon
Rainey OB v Ballynahinch
Q. 1
In Qualifying One plenty of drama unfolded on the opening day. None more so than the win by Ballyclare at Upritchard Park over Bangor with relegated Instonians recording a four try bonus point win over Portadown at Shaws bridge.
Ballyclare welcome visitors Dromore to ‘fortress’ – Cloughan. Both sides recorded crucial wins on the opening weekend with Dromore disappointed not to score a bonus point try in their 25 – 13 win over Cooke. The County Down side have the experienced Graham Cloke in charge this season. They are a strong squad who have been boosted by the return of dynamic scrum half Lee Steenson from a season with Banbridge. New prop Martin Tollis made his debut and despite injuries to Gareth Fitzpatrick, Adam McDonald and George Wilson the players will travel with confidence. Ballyclare have no injury worries and add the returning Bobby Smith to their squad.
The contest between the two ex Senior Clubs Bangor and Instonians will attract another large crowd to Upritchard Park. The surprise home defeat for Bangor against Ballyclare will put added pressure on the players and coaches as a second defeat would seriously undermine their league ambitions. Instonians have quietly introduced eight new players into their 1st xv with ex Queens back row forward Robert Whitten the stand out player. Additions such as Fergal Lynch in the front row and Italian second row Sebastianp Follo has strengthened their forwards. The inclusion of ex RBAI out half Fraser Wright and Friends winger Zach Finlay to add flair to a talented back line consisting of ex Queens player Paddy Pringle and Robbie Martin reflects the threat posed by this exciting back line. Bangor Captain Jamie Clegg will know his players will have to raise their game to secure a result.
The visit of Donaghadee to league champions Clogher Valley at the Cran is an interesting fixture. Contests between these two sides are keenly contested – witness the narrow 15 – 7 win in the Towns Cup final by CV and their 6 – 3 league win at Donaldson Park. CV have the advantage of a six try win at Ballymoney last weekend as the Dee game with CIYMS had to be postponed. They have several injury worries with the returning second row Matty Robinson ruled out for several weeks. Again they have strength in depth to fill these positions. The Dee will rely on experienced players including Paul McKenzie, Alastair Lockhart, Chris Hamilton, Chris Good and Billy Allen to upset the form book. The potential is in this Dee side. Can they get their season off to a winning start.
Cooke after their disappointing loss at Dromore face a CIYMS side chasing league and Cup honours this season. A Belfast derby will lift both sides as Cooke coach Colin Atkinson will need all his experience to win this game. A serious pre season injury has ruled out the talented Philip Cartmill for several months. The difficulty for the Belmont coaches is deciding on a 1st xv such is depth of talent available to new coach Gareth Fry and his team.
Portadown coaches Richard Hedley and Ciaran O’Kane will welcome the meeting with Ballymoney at Chambers Park to return to winning ways. They were second best in their opening day defeat at Instonians. The return of Ulster Junior Gareth McCoy will be timely. Ballymoney coach Jason Taggart knows it will take time to develop his playing squad. Encouraging performances by debutants John McFetridge and Matthew Steele in the 38 – 0 home defeat to CV will boost the confidence of the players travelling to County Armagh.
All fixtures kick off on Sat 6th September with a 2.30pm kick off.
Ballyclare v Dromore
Bangor v Instonians
Clogher Valley v Donaghadee
Cooke v CIYMS
Portadown v Ballymoney
Q. 2
The first game in Qualifying Two kicks off this weekend at Blaris when host club Lisburn entertain newly promoted Holywood. Lisburn coach Mark Crothers enters his third season in charge hoping to build on his progress in developing a competitive playing squad. He is in the unique position of having four brothers playing on the 1st xv. They include David, Aaron, Mark and Jonathan Gilkinson who are all ex pupils of Wallace High School. David, Aaron and Mark all played for Ulster Schools with Mark turning out for the Ulster under 20s last season. What a talented sporting family. Hooker Peter Graham will again Captain the side with ex Methody out half Ross Edgar a key player. Holywood coach Laurence Kelly has taken over the reins at the North Down club after a successful period coaching at Larne. His squad competed well at the Randalstown fifteen a side tournament last weekend as they prepared for their league campaign. Their Captain and scrum half Rory Eaves will be a key player for them this season.
Kick off is 2.30 pm on Sat 6th September 2014
Q 4
Belfast High School open their league campaign when they welcome Monaghan to Upper Greenisland with a 2.30pm kick off on Sat 6th September.
Junior Friendly
Coleraine travel to the John Hunter Memorial fields to play neighbours Limavady in preparation for their league campaign. Confidence is high in the North Coast squad after winning the Randalstown fifteen a side tournament last weekend. Kick off is 2.30pm Sat 6th September.
Looking forward to another exciting weekend of club rugby.
Cheers
George
