The club rugby community this weekend will see various games take place which will be a superb feel for the development progress of each team, the Ards CIYMS fixture following from last weeks game which saw Ards take on Bangor as well as the exciting prospect of Banbridge v Instonians and a very interesting fixture at Dromore who entertain Instonians will be followed on Saturday by 7 fixtures with City of Derry II v Ballyclare, Ballymena v City of Derry, Quins v Dungannon, Civil Service v Grosvenor, Enniskillen v Ballymoney and Malone v Clontarf + Raainey I & II v Clogher Valley. An excellent list of fixtures covering recently promoted clubs and those who were in the hunt for promotion last year as well as those who were relegated with probably Grosvenor v Civil Service of interest in that both clubs have been very close in recent seasons to putting together more than consolidatory sides, not to mention of course the visit of All Ireland Champions Clontarf to the province in the similar friendly fixture to last season against Malone. With Rainey OB being pretty much in the hunt for another promotion last season, their weekend game against the current towns cup champions and Q1 league winners Clogher Valley I & IIs will be a very interesting fixture.
Earlier this evening we received the following analysis of the fixtures from George Miller
Mid – August and Ulster’s rugby clubs continue their preparations for the commencement of league programmes on Sat 30th August 2014 with several entertaining friendlies organised for this weekend. Tonight Friday 15th August we have three friendlies organised.
Ards v CIYMS at Hamilton Park with a 7.30pm Ko. Both clubs were in action last weekend when Bangor defeated Ards 42 – 29 at Upritchard Park in a thrilling encounter. CIYMS and Carrick drew 21 – 21 in a keenly contested run out at the Tom Simms Memorial ground. CIYMS ran out 21 – 19 winners when the two teams met last season.
Dromore v Lisburn at Barban Hill. KO 7.30pm. Another local derby with new Dromore coach Graham Cloke winning his opening game 30 – 10 at Larne last Sat.
Instonians v Banbridge at Shawsbridge. KO 7.30pm.
Saturday 16th August.
City of Derry seconds v Ballyclare 1st xv at Judges Road. KO 2pm
Ballymena v City of Derry at Eaton Park. KO 2.30pm. Both coaches Andy Graham and Mark Nicholl will look to utilise their extended playing squads. City of Derry recorded a 31- 20 win against Omagh at Mellon Park last Sat.
Belfast Harlequins v Dungannon at Deramore Park. Opportunity for the new coaching team under Nigel Brady at Stevenson Park to see their playing squad in action. Adam Larkin will rely on his tried and trusted squad.
Civil Service v Grosvenor at Stormont. KO 2.30pm. Coaches Roy Lawton and Alastair McKee will their squads in preparation for the new season.
Enniskillen v Ballymoney at Mullaghmeen. KO 2.30pm. Skins new coaching team will want to ensure their playing squad will hit the ground running for their league campaign in Q 2 this season. Jason Taggart will know the difficult challenges that lie ahead for his team in Q 1 this season.
Malone v Clontarf at Pirrie Park. KO 2.30pm.The All Ireland League champions return to Pirrie Park after winning a thrilling pre season friendly last season against Malone 42-26. There have been several changes to Jacque Benade’s squad from last season with their All Ireland campaign commencing on the 13th September at home to Buccaneers. Expect another high scoring encounter.
Omagh v Cooke at Mellon Park. KO 2.30pm. Omagh coach Phil Marshall was disappointed with his sides narrow lost at home to City of Derry last Sat 31 – 20. They will enter their Q 2 league programme with high hopes of promotion this season. Cooke coach Colin Atkinson will know his team face a difficult programme in Q 1.
Rainey OB v Clogher Valley at Hatrick Park . KO 2.30pm. Both teams will compete for the annual Derek Lee Memorial Cup. Expect a keen contest between these two proud clubs. Ends GM
The list of fixtures and appointed referees is below starting with tonights games
15/08/2014
19:30 Ards vs C.I.Y.M.S Teddy Sloan
19:30 Dromore vs Lisburn Eamonn Whelan
19:30 Instonians vs Banbridge Johnny Peak
16/08/2014
14:00 City Of Derry 2 vs Ballyclare John Adams
14:30 Ballymena vs City Of Derry Adrian Reavey
14:30 Belfast Hquins vs Dungannon Stuart Douglas
14:30 Civil Service vs Grosvenor John Coyle
14:30 Enniskillen vs Ballymoney Robbie Watson
14:30 Malone vs Clontarf Oisin Quinn
14:30 Omagh vs Cooke James Railton
Derek Lee Memorial Cup
16/08/2014
13:00 Rainey Ob 2 vs Clogher Valley 2 Mark Surgenor
14:30 Rainey Ob vs Clogher Valley David Coey
