Rearranged fixtures in the AIL have reduced the playing programme in the Ulster Senior league this weekend to three fixtures between Malone v Armagh, Ballynahinch v Ballymena and Dungannon v Queens. The stand out game is the meeting of the top two sides Ballynahinch and Ballymena at Ballymacarn Park. Both sides are locked on forty points with one match left to play on the 8th March. Ballynahinch are the current Stevenson Shield holders and will not want to relinquish their grip on the league trophy. Ulster Senior sides Ards, Belfast Harlequins and City of Derry will have a free weekend.
Ballynahinch v Ballymena KO 2PM
Both sides have won eight out of nine games and collected eight bonus points on their travels. Despite the All Ireland League being their priority, both sides will not want to miss out on the opportunity to win silverware. Ballymena 1st xv manager Peter McKenzie is confident his side can win this game. With a full squad to select from, the Ballymena side are hoping that Ulster Ravens players Andy Warwick and David Shanahan will be released by the Ulster Management to play. Long term injuries will rule out Timmy Small and Jamie Smith. Ballynahinch despite their struggles in the All Ireland league will miss their Captain Stuart Morrow who will be playing for the Ireland Club xv against the English Counties side this weekend. The Ballynahich club have all seven adult sides competing in crucial league and Cup games this weekend. Coaches Serek Suffern and Charlie McAleese will not be in a position to rest their regular 1st xv players with another key AIL game coming up at home against St Mary’s on the 1st March. Sure to attract a large crowd despite the Six Nations games this weekend. Ballymena to win
Dungannon v Queens Uni KO 1.30PM
With their AIL game against Shannon postponed last weekend, the County Tyrone side will look for valuable game time this weekend before they travel to play second place Corinthians in Galway on the 1st March. Queens are going through a difficult patch after losing AIL matches to Rainey and Cashel. Their cause will be made no easier with the unavailability of Chris Colvin, Ryan Clarke and David Whann playing on Friday evening for the Irish Universities side against an Irish Exiles side at Ealing. Out half Ritchie McMaster is on the bench for the Ireland Club side in England with winger David Busby playing for the Ireland under 20 side. Coach Patrick Armstrong will have to dig deep into his playing resources for this game with injuries ruling out several players. Director of Rugby Robbie Moore knows his side have a difficult AIL match coming up with UCC at the Dub the following weekend. Dungannon to win
Malone v Armagh. Played Friday 21st February with a 8PM KO.
This should be an entertainng game for the rugby neutrals with both sides facing diffcult AIL games the following weekend. Malone entertain Div 2A league leaders Terenure College at Gibson Park with Armagh travelling to play Div 2B leaders Nenagh Ormond. With Malone seconds playing Grosvenor 1st xv in the McCrea Cup on Sat, coaches Jacque Benade and Gareth Fry will have no opportunity to rest players after their heroic 39 – 34 defeat at UL Bohemians last Sat in a nine try thriller played on the 4G pitch at Limerick Uni. Armagh surprised the in form Belfast Harlequins at the Palace grounds two weeks ago to win 18 – 7 in the USL. Coach Andy Hughes will look a big performance from his players to maintain their winning run of recent weeks. Has potential to be a high scoring game. Malone to win.
