Heavy underfoot conditions over the last two week ends have stifled the free flowing rugby preferred by the Ulster clubs in the opening weeks of the season. In Division 1A Ballynahinch are still looking for their first win despite a courageous 21 – 14 defeat at home to Landsdowne last Sat. In Division 1B Belfast Harlequins adapted to the difficult conditions at Deramore Park to record an 18 – 6 win at home to fellow relegation rivals Blackrock. Malone suffered a 27 – 10 defeat at league leaders Terenure in Dublin. Dungannon were undone by the power of Connacht side Corinthians in the final quarter 24 – 16 at Stevenson Park. In Division 2A Ballymena remain top of the league after winning 21 – 6 at home to Old Wesley at Eaton Park. City of Derry remain in second place after recovering from a 28 – 7 deficit to score three converted tries in the final quarter to secure a 28 – 28 draw. Rainey had to dig deep to win 10 – 9 at home to Munster side Bruff in Magherfelt. Queens after their impressive start to the season suffered their second consecutive defeat away to Galwegians 28 – 0. Banbridge remain without a win going down at home to UUC 23 – 20. In Division 2B undefeated Armagh suffered a surprise 6 – 0 defeat away to Richmond in Limerick. Despite dominating the game against Greystones: Instonians suffered a narrow 11 – 10 defeat. Without a win prior to the start of the AIL Ards have moved up to fifth place after recording an impressive 10 – 9 win away to Sundays Well. The Ulster clubs in Divisons 2A and 2B now have a welcome two week break from the AIL before fixtures resume on the 23rd November. City of Derry and Queens have Ulster Senior League and Ulster Senior Cup fixtures over the week ends of the 9th and 16th November which will test their playing resources. Armagh and Ballymena have an Ulster Senior league game this weekend 9th Nov. Both Banbridge and Ballynahinch have Ulster Senior Cup matches on the 16th November. Rainey, Ards and Instonians playing squads will have a two week break before they resume AIL on 23rd Nov. Malone, Belfast Harlequins, Dungannon, Ballymena, Armagh will have the weekend of the 16th Nov off before they resume their AIL on the 23rd Nov.
Division 1A
Clontarf v UCD: Played Friday 8th Nov Ko 7.30pm
Dolphin v Cork Constitution: Played Friday 8th Nov Ko 7.30pm
Garryowen v Youn Munster: Played Friday 8th Nov Ko 7.30pm
St Marys v Landsdowne: Played Friday 8th Nov Ko 7.30pm
Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch
The County Down team travel to Anglesea Road in Dublin for another testing fixture against fourth place Old Belvedere on Saturday still looking for their first win. Three losing bonus points tell the story of the losing margins in their opening four matches. Coaches Derek Sufferin and Charlie McAleese have been impressed by the commitment and rugby played by their players. The talent is within the squad and Captain Stuart Morrow leads from the front as the team look for their first four pointer. There has been significant changes in the playing personnel at Ballymacarn this season as the squad adapt to life in the top tier of Irish rugby.
Division 1B
Corinthians v Buccaneers: Played Friday 8th Nov Ko 7.30pm
Shannon v UL Bohemians
Malone v Belfast Harlequins
Blackrock v Dungannon
Dublin Uni v Terenure
This league has demonstrated the gulf between the top four sides (Terenure, Buccaneers, Corinthians and UL Bohemians) and the rest (Harlequins, Shannon, Blackrock, Malone, Dungannon and Dublin Uni) with the top four sides sharing 15 wins and the bottom six sharing 5 wins. The three Ulster sides Belfast Harlequins, Malone and Dungannon are already engaged in vital relegation matches between this weekend and the Xmas break in the AIL after the weekend of the 7th December. Belfast Harlequins have Malone, Dublin Uni, Shannon and Corinthians to play. Malone have Harlequins, Blackrock, Dublin Uni and Shannon. Dungannon have Blackrock, Buccaneers, UL Bohemians and Terenure to play. Come the weekend of the 7th December we will know the potential outcomes for the three Ulster clubs in this league.
Malone v Belfast Harlequins
Coach Jacque Benade will have been impressed by the workrate of his forwards in the first half against Terenure in Dublin against the elements. Poor decision making and their inability to use the elements in their favour in the second half to secure field position limited their attacking opportunities. Quins in their win over Blackrock used their forwards to maul their way to victory in the difficult conditions. The release of Ulster players to both sides will influence the outcome of this important match to both sides.
Tyrone side Dungannon will have been disappointed with losing their home game to Corinthians last Saturday. They have the opportunity to travel to Stradbrook on Saturday and bring four important points back to Stevenson Park. Coach Paddy Johns is doing a terrific job with the playing resources available to him. Again the release of Ulster players will determine who wins this crucially important fixture.
Ulster Senior League Saturday 9th November 2013 KO 2.30pm
Queens v City of Derry
This is a crucial league fixture for both sides as they look to make up ground on the the three leading sides in the league Ballynahinch, Rainey and Ballymena. The break from the AIL will have given Robbie Moore and his coaching team the opportunity to freshen up and refocus the squad on their goals of winning both the Ulster Senior league and the Ulster Senior Cup. This game and the Cup semi final on the 16th Nov against Banbridge are important matches for the Students. City of Derry coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair continue to rotate their playing squad as they push for silverware in the AIL and the Ulster Senior league and Cup. Again they have a crucial Cup semi final with Ballynahinch on the 16th Nov. How will the coaches manages their playing panels over the next two weeks !!. City of Derry to win
Armagh v Ballymena
This game was previously postponed due to the referee not turning up. For Armagh coach Andy Hughes he will look for his side to return to winning ways after their shock defeat in Limerick. They will then have a week end off before the AIL resumes on the 23rd November. Ballymena have been impressive this season focusing their playing resources on the AIL and the Ulster Senior league. Coach Andy Graham will be pleased with the direction the club are moving in at all levels. This fixture will allow fringe players to push for 1st xv places such is the competition at Eaton Park. Ballymena to win
