AIB League: Division 2 Previews
A floodlit midweek Dublin derby is on the cards when Bective host Dublin University at Donnybrook on Wednesday night. There are two further games down for decision on Saturday at the grounds of Clonakilty and De La Salle Palmerston.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 2:
Bective Rangers (3rd) v Dublin University (9th), Donnybrook (Wednesday, February 10, 8pm)
The perfect mix. A midweek game to whet your appetitie and floodlit to boot. Throw in the fact that it is a Dublin derby and you have the perfect mix for a Wednesday night.
Bective could move into second place in Division 2 if they subdue the students at Donnybrook. The one thing that might keep them there is also the one thing that has eluded them so far – a try-scoring bonus point.
A straight win would put them three points ahead of Bruff but the Limerick side would have a game in hand.
Stil; with seven wins in ten games, Rangers must be favourites for this game.
Trinity come into Wednesday’s tie with only three wins but they have managed two try bonuses and six losing bonuses. Those extra eight points see them comfortably clear of the relegation zone.
The six losing bonuses suggest that they will not lie down for Bective so a cracking game under lights could be in prospect. Get down to Donnybrook for some good old fashioned floodlit rugby.
Clonakilty (15th) v Highfield (14th), Shannonvale Cross (Saturday, February 13th, 2.30pm)
Clonakilty’s one-point win over Thomond last Sunday gave them some much-needed hope in the fight to avoid relegation. It was a gritty performance against a side five places above them in the table and the result has added spice – as if it were needed – to this Cork derby against Highfield.
The visitors still have a game in hand so in theory they could afford to lose this one, but that is not a theory they are likely to try and test come kick-off time.
Clon have secured five losing bonus points in their seven defeats, showing that they will cling on and are well capable of scrapping it out. Highfield have only managed one losing bonus point but have won three games to Clon’s two.
Clon have looked in trouble all season…and yet…there is a feeling that there is fight in them yet. A home win would delight the Vale faithful and could well see them move out of the bottom two, albeit with more work to come.
Greystones (16th) v De La Salle Palmerston (5th), Dr. Hickey Park (Saturday, February 13, 2.30pm)
Another local derby clash that should draw a good crowd to Dr. Hickey Park on Saturday ahead of the RBS 6 Nations showdown in Paris.
Greystones picked up a win over Clonakilty last month but have since gone down to Bruff and Old Crescent, leaving them stuck in 16th place on nine points.
‘Salmo need a win if they are to stay in the hunt for a play-off spot. A win on Saturday could see them move into fourth spot, albeit the teams around them would then have a game in hand.
DLSP had a tight victory over Terenure a few weeks back, sandwiched by heavy losses to Bective and Belfast Harlequins which may well end up costing them dear. Still an away win is on the cards here with little light for Greystones this season.