Congratulations to Queens Univ on winning the First Trust Senior Cup at Ravenhill tonight after defeating Ballynahinch 16 – 10 in a highly entertaining final. Tries by Queens Captain Stuart McIIwaine and winger Michael McAuley along with two Ritchie McMaster penalties allowed the students to withstand a late assault by the County Down side. Ballynahinch had two tries through their wingers Aaron Ferris and Matthew Arneil. Queens out half Ritchie McMaster failed to convert six kicks that could have robbed the students of a deserved win.Congratulations must go to the referee Mark Patton and his two assistant referee’s who were ‘miked up’ for their handling of this final. Round six of the Ulster Senior League resumes this weekend after the AIL break with three weeks of fixtures before the AIL league programme continues on the 4th January 2014. Leaders Ballymena are closely pursued by Ballynahinch, Rainey and Queens Univ, with two points separating the four sides. Ulster sides including Ballynahinch, Dungannon, Malone, Rainey and Ards will use this window to win games and build confidence within their playing squads after a difficult AIL programme. Coaches have the opportunity to look at fringe players and new combinations during this period. Ballynahinch seconds who play Ballyclare in the Junior Cup at Ravenhill on Tuesday the 17th December along with Ards seconds have a free weekend. Malone and Dungannon seconds brought their second xv game forward to tonight at Gibson Park with Malone defeating Dungannon 64 – 12. With Senior club third xv’s competing in the Crawford Cup this weekend there will be few opportunities to rest players who in some cases have played eighteen games with only one week off since the start of the season. For an amateur sport some players will have played twenty games in the first half of the season. Is there too much rugby being played by our club players?
Armagh v Instonians
Both coaches Andy Hughes and William Leacock will use this fixture at the Palace grounds to build on the progress the two young squads have made this season. The teams may be be at opposite ends of Division 2B of the AIL with the Shaws bridge side confident that they can use this block of fixtures to win games and build momentum for the resumption of the AIL. Armagh to win
Ballymena v Ards
Coach Andy Graham will know his Eaton Park side have struggled to win recent AIL games. He will use these fixtures to expose squad players to 1st xv rugby and put pressure on his first xv players. He will also be mindful of his teams position in the league and the need to secure maximum points from this game. Ards coach Stewart Porter will have been heartened by his teams performance against Tullamore last Saturday and will look to expose his fringe squad players to competitive Senior rugby in the coming weeks. Ballymena to win
Ballynahinch v Rainey
How will Hinch respond to their Cup final defeat at Ravenhill tonight!!! With their seconds involved in a Junior Cup final next Tuesday coach Derek Sufferin will be aware that the Queens players were allowed to play with a freedom that allowed them to frustrate a talented Hinch backline. One point separates the two sides at the top of the league. Both sides will want to maintain their challenge for league honours and Rainey coach Richard Boyd will want to turn around a disappointing three defeats in the AIL. Intriguing game. Much will depend on team selections and how hungry both clubs are for the league title. Expect a high scoring game at Ballymacarn Park. Ballynahinch to win
Banbridge v Queens
Interesting game at Rifle Park. Senior Cup winners Queens have already beaten Banbridge 21 – 7 in the Ulster Senior Cup semi final and 21 – 13 at Rifle Park in the AIL this season. Banbridge have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks with two well deserved AIL wins at Ballymena 17 – 15 and at home to Rainey 29 – 10. Coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best will not want to suffer a third defeat to the students before Xmas. Once again the students picked up several more injuries in tonights Cup final to add to their already lengthening list. Bann forwards have been dominant over opposition sides and with a depleted students pack the County Down side would expect to be firm favourites to win this game. Can the students maintain their challenge for league honours? Banbridge to win.
Belfast Harlequins v City of Derry
Quins coach Adam Larkin will have been pleased with the recent performances of his playing squad despite going down narrowly to a Corinthians side minus their Connacht contingent, 21 – 19 last Saturday at Deramore. The Quins side are mid table in AIL 1B and have the opportunity to expose squad players to senior rugby with the second half of a lengthy season to come. City of Derry were were well beaten 31 – 5 at Queens in the AIL and 50 -15 in the Ulster Senior League at the same venue virtually ending their hopes of an Ulster Senior League title. Coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley blair have had to contend with a lengthy injury list in recent weeks. Both coaches will look to add playing strength to their AIL squad to mount a challenge for promotion in the coming months. Belfast Harlequins to win
Dungannon v Malone
How disappointing it is to see two of our top clubs in Ulster occupying the bottom two league positions in Division 1B of the AIL. The step up from Division 2A has identified the gulf Ulster sides experience in this league when they come up against sides strengthened by provincial playing squads and their academies in Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Malone coach Jacque Benade has been disappointed by key decisions made by match officials in recent games that maybe cost his side wins. There is a clear difference in the officiating of matches involving officials ‘miked up’ and those who aren’t !!!!!! The issue needs to be addressed by the administrators of the AIL. Both coaches will again use squad players to look at different combinations in their quest to turn round the fortunes of both their 1st xv’s. Dungannon to win
