Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews

Banbridge (7^th) v Seapoint (14^th), Rifle Park
Banbridge are one of the sides in the chasing pack. In seventh place they are just six points behind ‘Rock in 2^nd.

A win on Saturday will keep them in the hunt, particularly with four of the clubs ahead of them on the road this weekend.

Seapoint badly need a win to get back on track but they are unlikely to get much solace in Rifle Park.

Bective Rangers (15^th) v Blackrock (2^nd), Donnybrook
‘Rock make the short trip in the road to Donnybrook this weekend and with five try bonuses to their name the fast pitch will certainly aid their ambitions.

Their hosts seem certain to be in the relegation dogfight unless they can unearth a late season surge.

An old school derby that the ‘Rock boys seem certain to win.

Dungannon (16^th) v Cashel (6^th), Stevenson Park
Dungannon’s two wins and a try bonus are scant reward for their endeavour this season but they are side struggling to find their depth.

Cashel have climbed the divisions the hard way and despite the lure of Limerick or Cork they have toughed it out in the Munster player pool.

An away win is the form bet and it would keep the Tipp side in the mix.

Naas (9^th) v City of Derry (11^th), Forenaughts
Finishing top four is vital to staying in Division 2A this season but both these sides are off the pace on current form.

Naas won on the road at Seapoint in their last outing while City of Derry were edged by Skerries.

If they can muster a similar level of performance they could take the spoils in Naas on Saturday.

Nenagh Ormond (10^th) v Queens (4^th), New Ormond Park
Nenagh Ormond put in a highly creditable shift against Old Wesley in their last outing and took a losing bonus point from the affair.

On that form they should pose a real problem for the students from Queens on Saturday.

The Ulster side won well against Dungannon in their last encounter but their hosts will be a tougher prospect on Saturday.

NUIM Barnhall (5^th) v Old Wesley (1^st), Parsonstown
Next up to the oche to take aim at Old Wesley are NUIM Barnhall. They’ll need to be accurate in their performance on Saturday if they are to hit the bullseye.

The league leaders have toughed it out in a few games of later but they have shown the mettle for it.

Can they do it again this Saturday? At the end of the day one point is as good as a hundred.

Rainey Old Boys (13^th) v Skerries (3^rd), Hatrick Park
Three losing bonuses have helped keep Rainey out of the direct relegation zone so far. They need to turn one or two of those into positive results to stay there.

Skerries demolished NUIM Barnhall in their last outing, putting a serious dent in the Kildare club’s ambitions.

A similar level of performance should see them home and dry on Saturday.

Thomond (8^th) v UCC (12^th), Liam Fitzgerald Park
The home side are five and five for the season so far – the next few games will tip the balance one way or the other.

UCC were in action last weekend against Old Wesley so may be a little sharper but they will have to work hard to get a result on the road.

A home win is the likely result.