B&I Cup Action In Athlone And Tralee

In Pool 1 Bristol will look to back up their opening day 23-14 win over Cardiff at the Arms Park when they take on Ulster Ravens at the Memorial Ground on Sunday.

24 hours earlier, Cardiff make the short trip to Bridgend in one of four local derbies to take place in Wales this weekend. Bridgend were well beaten by Ulster Ravens in round 1.

Both Pool 2 matches take place on Saturday afternoon with Neath and Bedwas, losers in round 1, facing each other, while Bedford welcome Stirling to Goldington Road. Try doubles from Neil Cochrane, Mark Kohler and James Stephenson helped ease Bedford to a 48-23 win at Bedwas.

Carmarthen v Swansea, separated by a mere 25 miles, should spare a thought for Cornish Pirates who have a considerably longer journey to look forward to in order to play their Pool 3 fixture.

The inaugural British & Irish Cup winners travel to Dundee following a 44-32 win over Carmarthen. Dundee lost 43-17 to Swansea.

Connacht Eagles have the unenviable task of trying to stop Championship pacesetters and British & Irish Cup Pool 4 leaders Newcastle.

The Falcons put 50 points on Cross Keys in round 1. Connacht were edged out 18-14 away to Newport, who head to near neighbours Cross Keys this weekend.

In Pool 5 Leeds Carnegie, beaten 47-18 by Leinster ‘A’ in round 1, take the first of three home games on the road on Sunday when they entertain Jersey at York RUFC.

The initiative – aimed at growing Leeds’ support base throughout the White Rose county – also coincides with the famous Headingley pitch being replaced for the first time in nearly half a century.

Leeds played Jersey in the league at the beginning of the season and recorded a bonus point win over the newly-promoted outfit, with tries from Josh Griffin, Jamel Chisholm and two from Jacob Rowan.

Jersey are yet to record a win this season but they came close at St. Peter on Saturday when they had to settle for a 20-20 draw against Pontypridd at home.

The Islanders had led until the final five minutes but conceded a late try and held on for a share of the spoils. Pontypridd play Leinster ‘A’ in the pool’s other game in round 2.

Moseley turned in a superb second half display to send Llanelli packing at Billesley Common. The Birmingham side can make it two wins from two in Pool 6 with victory at London Scottish on Saturday. On the same day, Llanelli play Gala, the conquerors of the Exiles in round 1.

Rotherham returned home from Port Talbot with an opening round win in Pool 7 over Aberavon, mainly thanks to the boot of James McKinney who was successful with seven of his eight kicks at goal.

The Titans get the chance for swift revenge for their league defeat away to Plymouth a few weeks ago when Albion visit Clifton Lane on Saturday. Munster ‘A’ host Aberavon.

Finally, in Pool 8, Nottingham and Doncaster go head-to-head at Meadow Lane on Friday evening.

Nottingham slipped to a 28-21 defeat away to Welsh Premiership high flyers Llandovery, while Doncaster’s long wait for a win continues after an agonising one-point loss at home to Melrose. Melrose take on Llandovery at the Greenyards.

BRITISH & IRISH CUP – ROUND 2 FIXTURES:

Friday, October 19

Pool 3 –
Camarthen v Swansea, 7.15pm

Pool 4 –
CONNACHT EAGLES v Newcastle Falcons, Dubarry Park, Buccaneers RFC, 7.45pm

Pool 8 –
Nottingham v Doncaster Knights, 7.45pm

Saturday, October 20

Pool 1 –
Bridgend v Cardiff, 2.30pm

Pool 2 –
Neath v Bedwas, 2.30pm
Bedford Blues v Stirling, 3pm

Pool 3 –
Dundee v Cornish Pirates, 3pm

Pool 4 –
Cross Keys v Newport, 2.30pm

Pool 5 –
Pontypridd v LEINSTER ‘A’, Sardis Road, 2pm

Pool 6 –
London Scottish v Moseley, 3pm
Llanelli v Gala, 4pm

Pool 7 –
MUNSTER ‘A’ v Aberavon, O’Dowd Park, Tralee RFC, 1pm
Rotherham Titans v Plymouth Albion, 3pm

Pool 8 –
Melrose v Llandovery, 2pm

Sunday, October 21

Pool 1 –
Bristol v ULSTER RAVENS, Memorial Ground, 3pm

Pool 5 –
Leeds Carnegie v Jersey, 3pm

Related Links –

British & Irish Cup Results/Match Reports

British & Irish Cup Pool Tables