There are some intersting games in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank League this weekend. The Ulster derby between Ballynahinch and Belfast Harlequins and the college clash between UCD and UCC at Belfield are amongst them.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B: Saturday, October 8
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
BALLYMENA (4th) v BUCCANEERS (3rd), Eaton Park
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Ballymena: W; Buccaneers: W
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Ballymena: Points: Alasdair Frazer 5; Tries: Alasdair Frazer 1; Buccaneers: Points: Jack Carty 7; Tries: Paul Harte, Conor Lavelle 1 each
Preview: A big clash of two sides that won on the opening weekend. Ballymena will be hoping that home advantage will prove decisive in enabling them secure a second victory.
But that will not be easy against a Buccaneers outfit that did extremely well to get the better of a very useful Bruff side 17-11.
Most Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 24, 2009: Ballymena 15 Buccaneers 18, Eaton Park; Saturday, January 16, 2010: Buccaneers 13 Ballymena 16, Dubarry Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Ballymena to win by 6-10 points
BALLYNAHINCH (2nd) v BELFAST HARLEQUINS (5th), Ballymacarn Park
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Ballynahinch: W; Belfast Harlequins: W
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Ballynahinch: Points: James Thompson 10; Tries: James Thompson 2; Belfast Harlequins: Points: Michael Heaney 9; Tries: Rory Scholes 1
Preview: This is sure to be a hard-fought encounter between these two Ulster rivals. Both started with victories last Saturday.
Ballynahinch’s opening success was the much more comfortable, they beat Galwegains 33-17 away in spite of having out-half James Lash red carded in the first half.
Belfast Harlequins, by comparision, had to fight hard to get the better of UL Bohs 14-12. ‘Hinch were one of only three sides across all divisions to pick up a try-scoring bonus point last weekend – that may not be on the cards this week but a home win probably is.
Most Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 11, 2008: Belfast Harlequins 13 Ballynahinch 16, Deramore Park; Saturday, February 19, 2011: Ballynahinch 18 Belfast Harlequins 15, Ballymacarn Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Ballynahinch to win by 6-10 points
BRUFF (8th) v GALWEGIANS (9th), Kilballyowen Park
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – Bruff: L; Galwegians: L
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – Bruff: Points: Tony Cahill 6; Tries: Andrew Cashman 1; Galwegians: Points: Tadhg Leader 12; Tries: Tadhg Leader 1
Preview: After the disappointment of losing to Buccaneers, Bruff will be determined to reward their home fans with a win against Galwegians.
They should be good enough to secure the points. Galwegians will need to improve considerably from last weekend’s disappointing home defeat to Ballynahinch.
Most Recent League Meetings – Saturday, November 13, 2010: Galwegians 11 Bruff 22, Crowley Park; Saturday, February 19, 2011: Bruff 15 Galwegians 25, Kilballyowen Park
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Bruff to win by 1-5 points
UL BOHEMIANS (7th) v DUNGANNON (1st), Annacotty
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – UL Bohemians: L; Dungannon: W
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – UL Bohemians: Points: JJ Hanrahan 12; Tries: -; Dungannon: Points: Peter Nelson 15; Tries: Derek Hall 2
Preview: UL Bohemianss can take some encouragement from a fightback which saw them run Belfast Harlequins very close last Saturday.
They will face Ulster opposion again, this time in the shape of a Dungannon side that managed to score 35 points in beating UCD first time out.
That effort suggests they are going to be very hard to beat this season but the Limerick students are a difficult obstacle.
Most Recent League Meetings – Saturday, October 9, 2010: Dungannon 19 UL Bohemians 23, Stevenson Park; Saturday, January 29, 2011: UL Bohemians 32 Dungannon 22, Annacotty
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Dungannon to win by 6-10 points
UCD (10th) v UCC (6th), Belfield
Ulster Bank League Season’s Form – UCD: L; UCC: L
Ulster Bank League Top Scorers – UCD: Points: Niall Earls 8; Tries: Andrew Cummiskey 1; UCC: Points: Cormac O’Flynn 2; Tries: –
Preview: Both of the student sides are in need of a win after a fruitless first week. UCD must have been very disappointed to go down 35-13 to Dungannon.
UCC were involved in a much closer contest only losing 8-6 at home to Ballymena. They have lost some of the their players from last season.
Still this is a Dublin v Cork college game so it will not lack for passion and some great running rugby.
Most Recent League Meetings – N/A
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UCD to win by 6-10 points
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