Ulster Bank League: Division 2B Previews
This is the last round of games before the Christmas break and a chance for clubs to end the year on a high note. The big question is can anyone stop Rainey?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B: Saturday, December 8
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Naas (3rd) v Thomond (13th), Forenaughts 2 p.m.
Naas’s win over Suttonians saw them back to winning form after their narrow loss to Boyne in November.
Despite not winning a game yet Thomond are knocking on the door of a revival in fortunes. A draw against Skerries and a losing bonus against Navan and Boyne show there are signs.
Still the Co. Kildare side are a decent outfit and will be a tough nut to crack at home in Forenaughts.
Boyne (4th) v Armagh (6th), Shamrock Lodge
Armagh make the short trip down the M1 to Shamrock Lodge this Saturday for what promises to be a pre-Christmas cracker.
Just two points separate these teams in the table and both sides have shown an ability to play attacking rugby, garnering five try bonuses between them.
Boyne have won their last three games against Thomond, Naas and Suttonians while Armagh have beaten Navan and Inst while losing to Skerries.
A tough one to call but home advantage may just prevail.
Connemara (16th) v Sunday’s Well (11th), Monastery Field
Relegation is already looming for the West of Ireland club, although their postponed game against Clonakilty may be a decider if they can eke out win elsewhere in the season.
The Well made NUIM Barnhall work hard for the win last weekend and the losing bonus point pushed them up to 9th.
The visitors should take the points on Saturday.
Instonians (10th) v Rainey OB (1st), Shaws Bridge
An Ulster derby is always a feisty affair and none more so that this clash at Shaws Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Inst’s wins have come against Thomond, Ards and Skerries so Rainey will present a very different challenge.
The leaders are still unbeaten – one of only two teams in the whole Ulster Bank League (the other is Ballynahinch) – and are firm favourites again on Saturday.
Navan (7th) v Nenagh Ormond (2nd), Balreask Old
The revival in Navan’s fortunes have wobbled a bit with recent losses to Armagh and Naas and a win is needed on Saturday if they are to keep pace with the top of the table sides.
One of those sides are Nenagh Ormond, who bring their five wins and three try bonuses to Co. Meath on Saturday.
Navan are unbeaten at home in the league this season but the away side have travelled well this season. Either way the result will have a big effect on the top places.
NUIM Barnhall (5th) v Suttonians (8th), Parsonstown
The home side are going nicely in the league with four wins and a bonus point (try or losing) from five out of their six games.
Suttonians are mid table and come in on the back of a loss to Naas while their hosts won in Musgrave Park.
Form and home advantage should see NUIM Barnhall take the points.
Skerries (9th) v Ards (14th), Holmpatrick
Despite only winning two games Skerries are in 9th place thanks to a positivie points difference and three losing bonus points, including one last weekend against Nenagh Ormond.
Ards have only one win to their name and like Clonakilty and Connemara seem destined for the bottom of the table dogfight.
A home win then but can the visitors take anything out of it?