Ulster Bank League: Division 1B/2C Previews
The first of the rescheduled Ulster Bank League fixtures following the high winds and heavy snowfall of Storm Emma take place tonight, with a couple of hotly-anticipated Dublin derbies taking place at Donnybrook and Estuary Road.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: Wednesday, March 7
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This season has seen the introduction of the #UBLTry of the Month award with a prize of 250 euro for each monthly winner and entry into the Try of the Year award.
DIVISION 1B:
OLD WESLEY (9th) v OLD BELVEDERE (5th), Donnybrook, 7.45pm
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form: Old Wesley: LLLDLWWWLDLLDL; Old Belvedere: LLWDWWLWLWWLLW
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Old Wesley: Points: Jack Maybury 96; Tries: Tommy O’Callaghan 6; Old Belvedere: Points: Tim Foley 102; Tries: Shane McDonald 5
Preview: Old Wesley’s last eight matches have all been very tight affairs, with six points the biggest winning margin. The main problem for Morgan Lennon’s men is that they have only won two games during that period, and they are now in the bottom two after a gut-wrenching 22-19 reversal at the hands of UCC.
Wesley’s penultimate home outing brings mid-table Old Belvedere the short distance over from Anglesea Road. ‘Belvo’s push for the play-offs briefly stalled with back-to-back defeats, but they bounced back against Dolphin last time out, with new half-back partners Steve Crosbie and Sean Cribbin scoring 19 points between them.
These neighbours by the river Dodder played out a 15-all draw in early October. Wesley winger Tommy O’Callaghan crossed in the 79th minute to give his side a share of the spoils. Cronan Gleeson and Ed Rossiter, who combined in the front row during the Ireland Club team’s recent victory over Scotland, will be on opposing sides tonight ahead of next week’s return international in Netherdale.
Recent League Meeting – Friday, October 6, 2017: Old Belvedere 15 Old Wesley 15, Anglesea Road
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win
DIVISION 2C:
Malahide (3rd) v Seapoint (7th), Estuary Road, 8pm
Malahide have a chance to reclaim top spot in the Division 2C table, at least temporarily, when ‘Wednesday Night Lights’ brings Seapoint to Estuary Road. Rick Evans’ charges were denied by a late penalty in Bangor, losing 18-16 despite a penalty try and three well-struck Shane O’Brien place-kicks.
Malahide will be gunning for revenge after going down 25-15 to ‘Point in October. The south Dubliners’ current league position of seventh is misleading as they have beaten a number of clubs above them, including Bruff in the last round where they racked up 37 points with two tries each from Dave O’Reilly and Declan Byrne.
However, Malahide’s home form has been the bedrock of their promotion challenge this season with six wins out of seven so far. If they can keep a tight rein on the lively ‘Point attack, particularly early on, Evans’ side should eke out a result which keeps them in the hunt for the title.