All-Ireland League: Division 2 Previews
There was no change in the top three last time out as Ballynahinch, UCD and Ballymena all maintained winning form but Bective forced their way into the top four. With only UCD at home this weekend things could change but form is with the front runners.
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: DIVISION 2: Saturday, November 27
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
Belfast Harlequins (5th) V Midleton (9th), Deramore Park
‘Quins got back to winning ways two weeks ago with a home win over Old Wesley. They will be glad to be at home again this weekend and will hope to maintain their winning ways.
Midleton went down to UCD last time out but they were the first team to keep them under 20 points this season.
Home advantage should prove beneficial in this game and ‘Quins should keep the pressure on the top four.
DLSP (14th) V Ballynahinch (1st), Kirwan Park
It has been a disappointing start for ‘Salmo this season. They haven’t managed to tap into the flashes of great rugby they played last season as yet.
This Saturday brings the biggest challenge of the season as an unbeaten Ballynahinch bring their try scoring game to Kirwan Park. Four try bonuses in five games is a pretty impressive record.
DLSP will be hard pressed to keep ‘Hinch tryless on Saturday and you can expect the points to go the Ulster side’s way.
Dublin University (8th) V Corinthians (6th), Trinity Sportsgrounds Santry
Trinity picked up a hard fought win on the road against Old Crescent to give them their second win of the league and push them up to 8th place.
Corinthians kept a clean sheet against Malone last time out pushing them up to 6th place. Saturday will be a big test for both clubs.
The home team have made themselves hard to beat with three losing bonus points while the Galway men have picked up two try bonuses. An interesting game in the Trininty sportsgrounds in Santry is on the cards.
Malone (7th) V Terenure College (10th), Gibson Park
A mid table clash with the home team four points ahead. Three of those points came from try bonuses.
‘Nure drew with Queen’s last time out. They haven’t really clicked into gear and they should be targeting this match as a big one.
Malone’s try scoring abilities, however, should see them take the points in Gibson Park and push back up the table.
Old Wesley (12th) V Ballymena (3rd), Donnybrook
A troubling start to the season for Eric Miller’s men with only one win in five games. They have given up points a bit too easily at times. The encouraging thing is that most of it is in their control – discipline being a key factor.
They might wish for an easier prospect on Saturday but if you are going to improve then you have to do it against the better teams.
The Braidmen have lost one game so far, to Ballynahinch, but they have scored a try bonus in four games to date. They could be good enough to repeat that feat again in Donnybrook.
Queens University (11th) V Bective Rangers (4th), Dub Lane
Queens are adjusting to life in Division 2 after last season’s free scoring extravaganza. A draw against Terenure last time out was preceded by a win over Corinthians.
Bective have been very solid so far this season. They trail Ballymena by four point due in large part to not picking up as many try bonuses.
The Dublin side may not be scoring at will but they look solid enough to continue their winning ways at Dub Lane on Saturday to leave Queens struggling.
Thomond (15th) V Clonakilty (16th), Liam Fitzgerald Park
One of these sides seems certain to face a playoff against the fifth placed team in Division 3 at the end of this season and this match could decide the matter already.
Neither side have won a game yet but Thomond are on one point thanks to a losing bonus point against Bective.
Home advantage should be the key difference in Liam Fitzgerald Park on Saturday.
UCD (2nd) V Old Crescent (13th), Belfield
Five games and five wins for UCD to date. Some impressive displays by their hungry young pack allied to a back line willing to run has seen them clock up some good performances to date and they are always quick to pounce on any mistakes.
This is the second game in a row against student opposition for Old Crescent. They picked up a losing bonus point against Queens last time out.
They have shipped over 100 points to date and that could be their downfall against a quickfire UCD side. Home win is the bet for this one.