EXTREME RUGBY UNION!
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Qualifying League Four
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
BHSFP (1) v Virginia (5)
Londonderry YMCA (7) v Cavan (6)
Monaghan (3) v Civil Service (2)
Qualifying League Three
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Lurgan (3) v PSNI (5)
Ophir (6) v Limavady (1)
Strabane (7) v Larne (2)
Qualifying League Two
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Academy (3) v Lisburn (8)
Coleraine (4) v Grosvenor (7)
Enniskillen (6) v Carrickfergus (2)
UUC (10) v Randalstown (5)
Omagh (1) v Holywood (9)
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Ballymoney (10) v Ballyclare (4)
CIYMS (8) v Portadown (6)
Clogher Valley (20 v Cooke (7)
Dromore (5) v Bangor (3)
Instonians (1) v Donaghadee (9)
Qualifying League One
Ballymoney v Ballyclare
Their defeat at Cooke last Sat has consigned Ballymoney to Q 2 next season with three matches remaining. They are seven points behind second bottom Donaghadee and fourteen points behind third bottom CIYMS. For Ballyclare a run of league defeats ended last Sat with an emphatic win over leaders Instonians. Along with Dromore and Portadown they are all on thirty two points as they contest that all important fourth place and qualification for AIL Junior Cup. They keep the same squad for the trip to Ballymoney with Ulster Junior Niall Lawther and Dave Clarke added. When the two sides met at the Cloughan Ballyclare ran out comfortable 37 – 7 winners.
CIYMS v Portadown
These are two teams who were expected to be challenging for the league title this season. Both coaches Gareth Fry and Richard Hedley know their playing squads have not fulfilled their potential in the league. CIYMS qualified for the AIL Junior Cup and reached the semi finals only to lose a replay. Their ambition is to compete in the competition next season. Unfortunately results have not favoured them. Like all sides they are struggling with injuries. Portadown returned to winning ways after defeating Dromore last Sat. Coach Richard Hedley is hoping his side can kick on and finish in fourth place. Alot at stake for both teams in this match on Sat. When these two sides met at Chambers Park Portadown won 34 – 15.
Clogher Valley v Cooke
You have to admire the resilience of the Clogher side who are faced annually with a back log of fixtures at the tail end of the season. They have five matches to play in fourteen days as they pursue their goal of retaining their league title. They hung on to win 23 – 20 at Dromore last night to close the gap on leaders Instonians to five points. In number 8 David Sharkey they have an inspirational player and leader. Out half Paul Armstrong gave a immaculate display of goal kicking in difficult conditions to convert five kicks that gave his team that all important win against a determined Dromore side. Having to play their third match in seven days the coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black have been forced to make changes for the visit of the inform Cooke side to the Cran on Sat. Injuries and unavailabilities will rule out the Wilson brothers BJ and Ryan. Matty Robinson, David Dunlop, Jonny Clarke, Phil Moore, Nathan Orr, Aaron Best and Philip Holme. Allister Trenier returns to the team with Mark McKenna making his debut in the second row.
Cooke coach Colin Atkinson has a full squad available for this game. Several weeks ago his team were looking to avoid relegation, now they are only four points of fourth place and a place in the AIL Junior Cup next season. The coach has been pleased by the progress of former Wellington College players Gareth Robinson and Andrew Hanna this season as a half back combination. Flying winger Andrew Pollock scored another two tries last Sat in the win over Ballymoney. Alex Gourlay is added to the squad for this weekend. When these two sides met at Shaws bridge Clogher ran out narrow 19 – 12 winners. Could we see a possible upset at the Cran this weekend.
Dromore v Bangor
Two defeats in five days against Portadown and Clogher Valley have seriously dented the ambitions of this Dromore squad to finish fourth. They still have two games in hand on fourth place Ballyclare as they face five difficult fixtures over the next three weeks. In half back Lee Steenson they have an out standing player who almost inspired his team to a win over Clogher Valley last night. Bangor have ambitions to chase down Clogher Valley and finish in second place. They owe Dromore after they defeated the Seasiders 22 – 15 at Upritchard Park. After their impressive 25 – 5 win at Donaghadee last Sat the seasiders know two away matches at Dromore and Clogher Valley on Tuesday night will determine whether they can achieve their goal.
Instonians v Donaghadee
Defeats against Ballyclare and Queens seconds in recent weeks will question the resolve of the Inst squad to hold their nerve with four matches remaining in the league. Coach William Leacock will welcome back influential Captain Alan Whitten and fella prop Harry Martin for this crucial match on Sat with relegation threatened Donaghadee. The coach acknowledges he will learn alot about his young players in the coming weeks as they challenge for league honours. “This league is so competitive . No games are easy. Donaghadee are a good side and have had some good results lately”. Dee player coach Paul McKenzie was disappointed with his teams performance in their 25 – 5 defeat at home to Bangor last Sat. The players didn’t respond well to the occasion and the pressure last weekend. Injuries have ruled out Billy Allen and Max Montgomery for the rest of the season with both Richard Martindale and Andrew Findlater unavailable this weekend. Backs Mark Cooper and Chris Wood come into the backline with Paul Hamilton and Jack Cooke added to the forwards. Must win game for the Dee as they look to avoid relegation.
Div 2B
Armagh v Bruff
Armagh remain on course to finish in the top four. They have won seven of their last ten matches in all competitions. Two hard earned AIL wins at DLSP and Boyne in recent weeks will ensure that Coach Andy Hughes and his team are ready for the battle with Munster side Bruff at the Palace grounds on Sat. In their last AIL home match, Armagh lost 13 -11 to Sunday’s Well. With four matches remaining their goal is to win all four. Armagh have the best away record of any Ulster side in the AIL winning five games.
Ards v Richmond
Winless Ards are hoping to break their duck in the AIL with a win at home to second bottom Richmond at Hamilton Park. The team performed well in Limerick last weekend before losing 17 – 5 to Old Crescent. Their Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt believes the team can get that all important first win this weekend.
Fixtures Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Ards (16) v Richmond (15)
Armagh (3) v Bruff (7)
Boyne (14) v Wanderers (12)
DLSP (13) v Sundays Well (6)
Greystones (4) v Navan RFC ( 10)
Highfield (1) v Sligo (9)
Kanturk (11) v Old Crescent (8)
Midleton (5) v Tullamore (2)
Div 1B
Malone v Ballymena
Have Ballymena missed out on finishing in the top two following their defeat at home to league pace setters Galwegians last Sat. Ulster players Dave Shanahan and Dave Ryan have been released by Ulster for their match with Malone at Gibson Park. The availability of John Andrews, Andrew Warwick and Mike McComish will be dependent on their game time with Ulster tomorrow night against the Scarlets. Ireland under 20 commitments rule out Michael Lagan and Adam McBurney. This is a must win match for the Braid men. Malone coach Jacque Benade will be hoping several of his injured players are available for selection this weekend. Ulster players Conor Joyce and Paul Jackson have been released. The availability of prop Bronson Ross will be dependent on his game time with Ulster tomorrow night. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Malone winning both the AIL and Senior Cup matches at Eaton Park 13 – 7 and 17 – 13. In the UCL meeting at Eaton Park two weeks ago Ballymena ran out convincing 52 – 26 winners scoring eight tries.
Belfast Harlequins v Buccaneers
Quins make the trip to Athlone to play Buccaneers. They lost the home fixture 20 – 7 with their opponents. With the presence of Ulster players Michael Heaney, Neil McComb, Sean Reidy and Frankie Taggart in their squad the team will travel with the confidence this weekend. Rory Scholes is on the bench for Ulster tomorrow night. Coach Adam Larkin has a full strength playing squad available to select from.
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Galwegians (1) v Corinthians (10) Played Friday 27.2.15. Kick off 7.30pm
Garryowen (2) v UL Bohemians (8)
Buccaneers (5) v Belfast Harlequins ( 6)
Malone ( 9) v Ballymena (4)
Shannon (7) v Dublin Uni (3)
Div 2A
City of Derry v Queens Uni
City of Derry welcome the Belfast students of Queens Uni to Judges Road to play an inform Derry team. Head coach Terry McMaster has seen his team win four out of five matches since his appointment with the only defeat a 19 – 17 loss at promotion chasing Skerries. There are a number of changes to their team with Stephen Ferguson returning at number 8 to partner Stephen Corr and Adam Bratton in the back row with Mark Walker dropping down to the bench. The front five are the same as last week with hooker David Ferguson getting over a slight knock. Centre Chris Barber returns to the side after a lengthy spell on the side lines with with Josh Lewis moving to the wing and Tiernan Thorton dropping to the bench. Once again Derry will look to their dynamic half back pairing of Andrew Semple and Richard McCarter to control the game. Queens coach Bob Young will be missing his five Ireland under 20 squad players. Injuries rule out their entire back row of Josh Atkinson, Stuart hooks and Matty Clarke. Backs Conor Shiels, Eoin Devlin and Conor Mckee are all carrying knocks with out half Ali Wright following concussion protocols.
Rainey OB v Banbridge
Rainey OB face in form Ulster opponents Banbridge at Hatrick Park in a must win game if they are to retain their third tier status. Banbridge are serious contenders to finish in second place and secure promotion. Coach Daniel Soper retains the playing squad that recorded an emphatic win over Seapoint last Sat. Rainey coach Richard Boyd remains without several of his experienced players including forwards Tim Barker, Michael Shiels, Paddy mcGowan and Conor Simpson. Backs Jack Fleming, Michael Pyper and Damien McMurray. Last Sat his squad included twelve players under 21 years. They have lost their last three AIL matches with only one win from their last eight games in all competitions. Banbridge have to be favourites to win this match.
Dungannon v Skerries
Dungannon face another daunting trip away to play promotion chasing Skerries. Ross McCaughey is unavailable with James McMahon and Steven Sinnamon expected to return.
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Bective Rangers (15) v Naas (10)
Blackrock College (2) v Nenagh Ormond (9)
City of Derry (12) v Queens Uni (5)
NUIM Barnhall (7) v Thomond (8)
Rainey OB (13) v Banbridge (4)
Seapoint (14) v Cashel RFC ( 6)
Skerries (3) v Dungannon (16)
By George Millar
Ulster Bank All Ireland League
Div 1A
It is a must win game for Ballynahinch at home to the Dublin students at Ballymacarn on Sat. With a lengthening injury list coaches Derek Suffern and Charlie McAleese will look to their Ulster players to keep them in the hunt for a top four play off place. When the teams met in the corresponding fixture UCD won 31 – 24.
Fixtures. Sat 28.2.15. Kick off 2.30pm
Old Belvedere (7) v Landsdowne (1) Played Friday 27.2.15. Kick off 7.30pm
St Mary’s College (8) V Clontarf (3)
Ballynahinch (6) v UCD (5)
Cork Constitution (4) v Terenure College (2)
Young Munster (9) v Dolphin (10)
