AIB League Division 2 & 3
All change at the top of Division 2 and no change at the top of Division 3 as we run in to the last few games before the playoffs in the AIB League.
Buccaneers and Belfast Harlequins have risen to the top of Division 2 thanks to wins over Wanderers and Malone at the weekend. They are now in pole position for the two promotion spots and home quarter finals in the playoffs. Of the two Belfast Harlequins probably have the easier run in with home ties against Suttonians and Barnhall while the men from Dubarry park face a difficult trip to third placed Malone before a home tie against Dublin University.
Malone, though beaten on Saturday, are only a point behind their Belfast neighbours and won’t give up lightly. Meanwhile Young Munster in fourth and UCC in fifth both enjoyed wins at the weekend over Highfield and Dublin University. They have a game in hand – albeit against each other. It could well be a game that decides the top four.
Barnhall 0 – 15 Ballynahinch
Bective Rangers 19 – 17 Clonakilty
Belfast Harlequins 19 – 13 Malone
Buccaneers 12 – 5 Wanderers
Dublin University 8 – 29 U.C.C.
Highfield 9 – 22 Young Munster
Old Crescent 26 – 24 D.L.S.P.
Thomond 8 – 7 Suttonians
AIB League Division 3
While Division 2 looks like going to the wire, Division 3 looks set to go to the season long pacesetters of Bruff and Instoinans, despite a late charge by Banbridge and Queens.
The students challenge looks to be up, though the playoff spot is guaranteed, after losing by 18 – 0 to Bruff on Saturday. Banbridge’s one point win over Coleraine means that Inst. can’t afford to take the foot of the pedal in their final two games, despite beating Co. Carlow at the weekend.
Inst. will be away to Corinthians and at home to Connemara and should come through both games but will also be hoping that leaders Bruff and Banbridge cancel each other out in their last game of the league season.
Banbridge 17 – 16 Corinthians
Bruff 18 – 0 Queens University
City of Derry 19 – 27 Midleton
Connemara P – P Naas
Instonians 24 – 20 Co. Carlow
Rainey OB 27 – 46 Ards
Old Wesley 13 – 13 Nenagh Ormond
Sundays Well 28 – 21 Waterpark