Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, November 23

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

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Seapoint (6^th) v NUIM Barnhall (7^th), Kilbogget Park, Friday Night Lights, 7.30pm

Only a point separates these two sides as they prepare for this Friday Night Lights game.

The home side come in on the back of a 17 all draw away to Naas while the visitors beat Old Crescent 15 – 0 at home earlier this month.

Seapoint have leaked more than they have scored to date so they will need to concentrate on their defence under lights.

Ballymena (1^st) v Banbridge (14^th), Eaton Park

Ballymena are spearheading the Ulster charge at the top of the table, unbeaten in their four games to date.

By contrast their visitors are yet to record a win and are kept of the bottom of the table by two losing bonus points.

The home side should be set fair to maintain their winning run with City of Derry on their heels.

Cashel (8^th) v Bective (12^th), Spafield

Cashel are evenly balanced so far – two wins, two losses and two losing bonus points. They beat Highfield last game out.

Bective have notched up a win and a draw so far and should pose a bigger threat to the Tipperary club having drawn with City of Derry last time out.

That said the home side should have the edge to take the win on Saturday afternoon.

City of Derry (2^nd) v Old Crescent (13^th), Judge’s Road

The home side are just a point behind the league leaders, thanks in part to three try bonuses.

They will feel that the draw against Bective was a missed opportunity that they have to make up for.

Visitors Old Crescent have only won one game in their four to date and are likely to struggle unless they can replicate the Bective formula.

Galwegians (3^rd) v Highfield (16^th), Crowley Park

The Galway club are doing their best to break the Ulster stranglehold on the top flight of the division – they are just three points behind 2^nd place City of Derry.

Visitors Highfield are yet to win a game, their only consolation to date is a losing bonus point.

The home side should take the win and if they can garner a third try bonus point they will keep the pressure on the two sides above them.

Old Wesley (11^th) v Bruff (15^th), Donnybrook

The Donnybrook club are evens so far with two wins and two losses.

Bruff, hard hit – like many clubs – by the loss of players to emigration in recent seasons, have managed two losing bonuses to date but are yet to get a win.

A home win is on the cards but this new look Bruff side are on a learning curve.

Queen’s (10^th) v Naas (9^th), Dub Lane

Naas’s slightly better negative points difference is all that separates these two sides in the table at present.

Queen’s have faced top four sides in their last two outings – losing to Ballymena and ‘Wegians.

Naas lost to City of Derry and drew with Seapoint in their last two games. Evenly matched going in.

UCC (5^th) v Rainey Old Boys (4^th), The Mardyke

Contender for Match of The day in Division 2A as 5^th plays host to 4^th with only a point between them.

Rainey have scored an impressive 114 points but they have also had a leaky defence conceding 104.

UCC have only let in 58 points by comparison. An entertaining if possibly tight game is on the cards and well worth catching in the Mardyke.