Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
Four clubs – UCC, Corinthians, Banbridge and Highfield – notched up a try bonus win last weekend to set the early season pace but they all face tough games this weekend in Division 2A of the Ulster Bank League.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, October 6
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated
DLSP (15th) v Terenure (5th),Kirwan Park – Friday Night Lights 7:30p.m.
The action kicks off with a Friday Night Lights clash in Kirwan Park. ‘Salmo set the pace early on last season but faded badly post Christmas.
‘Nure had some interesting recruits over the summer with the likes of Willie Staunton joining from Young Munster sure to increase their scoring capacity.
DLSP lost to Corinthians last weekend while Terenure picked up a 19 – 8 at home to Galwegians.
Watch out for highlights on IrishRugby TV next week.
Banbridge (3rd) v Old Wesley (8th), Rifle Park
Bann were one of the four sides to pick up a try bonus last weekend and that was on the road at Greystones. They will be aiming for more of the same in Rifle Park on Saturday afternoon.
Old Wesley picked up a home win under lights in Donnybrook last week against an ambitious Seapoint.
Saturday should be an interesting matchup for both sides as they find their measure for the season.
Cashel (6th) v Old Crescent (7th),Spafield
Cashel started Division 2A they way they left off in Division 2B – with a win. This one over Midleton on the road.
Old Crescent also impressed with their 27 – 17 win over Queens in Rosbrien last Saturday.
How long can Cashel go unbeaten in this league? The question will be asked again on Saturday in Spafield.
Galwegians (13th) v Bective Rangers (10th),Crowley Park
‘Wegians fell to a new look Terenure last Saturday which is not the start they wanted if they are to climb back into Division 1B.
Bective lost at home to Highfield in a high scoring game that saw them take a deserved losing bonus point.
Both teams go in search of their opening win of the league on Saturday with ‘Wegians likely to take full advantage of their home pitch.
Highfield (4th) v Greystones (14th), Woodleigh Park
Highfield were impressive in taking a try bonus in Donnybrook on the opening day as well as running up 33 points.
Greystones fell at home to newly promoted Banbridge so they will be keen to get a result here on Saturday.
The home side has one of the tightest defences in the league last season and will be a tough nut to crack on home soil.
Queen’s (12th) v Corinthians (2nd),Dub Lane
A bad start to the season for the Ulster students saw them lose on the road to Old Crescent who finished 15 points behind them last season.
Corinthians played well in defeating DLSP on the opening day and in taking a try bonus. They challenged last season and could be contenders again this year.
Both sides scored over 300 points last season so we can expect some running rugby in Dub Lane on Saturday.
Seapoint (9th) v City of Derry (16th), Kilbogget Park
Seapoint’s losing bonus point under lights last week is enough to see them mid table at this early stage in the season.
City of Derry will have been stung by the manner in which UCC kicked off their season in Division 2B with a 45 point haul in Judge’s Road.
These teams know each other well as they came up from Division 2B together previously and matched between them have always been entertaining affairs.
UCC (1st) v Midleton (11th),Mardyke
An impressive opener for UCC with a try bonus performance away from home last Saturday.
They have a Munster derby in the Mardyke this weekend with Midleton rocking up looking for a first win.
Both sides have a point to prove this season having not gone well last year but opening day form suggests the home side look set for a second win on the trot.