Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
The Christmas break is over and January offers a packed fixture list in the Ulster Bank League. The key question in 2A is can anyone match Banbridge’s scoring momentum – just shy of 120 points over their last four games?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, January 9
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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Cashel (5th) v Banbridge (1st), Spafields
Cashel come into this match with a game in hand and no shortage of motivation – having lost to Banbridge by 28 – 5 back in November.
A home win would keep the Tipperary side in the loop and possibly move them into a top four place.
The problem? Their visitors are the league leaders who have scored five try bonuses to date and averaged 29 points in their last four games.
Naas (3rd) v Thomond (9th), Forenaughts
Naas were in action last weekend overturning their three point loss to Nenagh Ormond from December, winning 8 – 3.
That victory pushed the Kildare side into 3rd place, four points behind Malone.
Thomond are a team in need of a good start to 2016. They finished 2015 on the wrong end of 38 – 0 thumping by UCC.
Queen’s (6th) v Malone (2nd), Dub Lane
A tasty local treat to kick off the second half of the season in Dub Lane and the question is can the home side repeat their win from November?
Just over a month ago the students won impressively away from home and denied Malone a losing bonus point.
Since then, however, Malone recorded back to back wins over Skerries while Queens conceded over 60 points to Banbridge in their double headers.
Skerries (8th) v Nenagh Ormond (7th), Holmpatrick
Nenagh Ormond have a head start from their game last weekend, albeit they lost to Naas. It may just give the visitors an edge though as the Christmas cobwebs have been blown out.
Skerries showed well against Malone in the first of their back to back games but went down by 19 points in the second outing.
A possible away win on the cards.
UCC (4th) v Corinthians (10th), Mardyke
The Cork side are in a good position going into this match – they finished 2015 with a big win over Thomond, they have a game in hand over third placed Naas and they beat Corinthians well back in November.
Corinthians also have a game in hand and they will need to make it tell if they are to climb off the bottom of the table.
It looks primed, however, for UCC to take the spoils.