Ulster Bank League: Division 2B Previews

A cracking Cork derby is the Friday Night Lights opener in Division 2B this weekend as Highfield and Sunday’s Well go head-to-head. On Saturday, the current top two teams – City of Derry and Bective Rangers – meet at Judge’s Road.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2B: Saturday, September 19

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

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Highfield (7th) v Sunday’s Well (9th), Woodleigh Park, Friday, 7.30pm

Woodleigh Park should be packed on Friday night for this local clash – one of the only Friday Night Lights derby games in the city this season.

Both sides suffered defeat in the opening round of the league, so they will go hammer and tongs for the points and the bragging rights. Home advantage may give Timmy Ryan’s Highfield team the edge, for whom lock David Kelly is in excellent form.

Rainey Old Boys (4th) v MU Barnhall (10th), Hatrick Park

In John Andrews’ first league match in charge, Rainey got off to an encouraging start with a gritty win over Seapoint and face another Leinster club this weekend when MU Barnhall make the trip to Hatrick Park.

The visitors lost to City of Derry in a 50-point game and failed to secure a losing bonus despite their second half surge which was inspired by replacements Simon Gillespie and Paul Nalty. Saturday will give both clubs a steer on how things are panning out.

City of Derry (1st) v Bective Rangers (2nd), Judge’s Road, 4.30pm

The top two after the opening round come face to face in week 2 as City of Derry host Bective Rangers. The Ulster side were impressive in securing their try-scoring bonus win at Parsonstown last week, albeit they coughed up 20 points in the second half.

With centres Adam Philpott and Rob O’Beirn to the fore, Bective were the surprise package on the opening weekend. Their bonus point victory over Highfield may be a marker for the season – Saturday will give us further insight.

Dungannon (6th) v Seapoint (8th), Stevenson Park

Dungannon lost out by a point in an excellent Ulster derby match against Armagh last week. The losing bonus point was scant consolation for Andrew Hughes’ charges, but captain James McMahon did well to earn it with a late try.

At home to Seapoint they will look to notch up their first win. The visitors lost to Ulster opposition last weekend and could well do so again on Saturday.

Greystones (3rd) v Armagh (5th), Dr. Hickey Park, .4.30pm

Both sides won their opening game – Greystones away to Sunday’s Well and Armagh at home to Dungannon. The hosts will hope that Barry Lynn has his kicking boots again this week as his touchline conversion and late penalty secured them the points last weekend.

Armagh’s testy encounter with Dungannon saw a slew of yellow cards, with full-back Harry Boyd scoring the decisive try in the 78th minute. They will need to keep the discipline this Saturday.