Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
The Ulster Bank League resumes with a run of three rounds before Christmas. Three of the top four – Queen’s, DLSP and Dublin University – are on the road, so fourth-placed Old Wesley will be looking to improve their position when they host Clonakilty at Donnybrook.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, November 26
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
City of Derry (11th) v Seapoint (7th), Judge’s Road
These two teams were promoted last season when four clubs made the jump from Division 3, so they have some history.
It was a tight affair when the sides met at Kilbogget Park last January with the Dubliners coming out on the right side of a 9-6 scoreline.
City of Derry are struggling to find the form of last season with only two wins from five. Seapoint head coach Nigel Osbourne has identified the next three games as key to their season. Expect a tight one!
Corinthians (6th) v Queen’s University (1st), Corinthian Park
Corinthians are just five points adrift of the league leaders whom they host on Saturday, so this match represents a real chance to make an impact.
They lost heavily to fifth-placed Malone last time out and will want to stay in touch with the top tier before the Christmas break.
Queen’s University have rediscovered their free-flowing style after a season adjusting to life at this level. They have run up 152 points and picked up two try-scoring bonus point as well as a losing bonus in their only lost game. They look a potent outfit again.
Greystones (8th) v Instonians (14th), Dr. Hickey Park
Greystones have had an uneven start to the season but wins over league leaders ‘Salmo and a productive visit to Thomond have seen them steady the ship.
Instonians are struggling to make a mark this season. They have scored over 100 points and notched up a try-scoring bonus point but they have lost four out of five games.
Reggie Corrigan will want his side to kick on and secure a few more wins before Christmas and home advantage should tell.
Midleton (15th) v Dublin University (3rd), Towns Park
One win from five games is a poor return for Midleton but they did raise themselves at home to beat City of Derry.
The Trinity boys will still be smarting from the Colours loss to UCD last Friday night and will be on the rebound.
They have won four out of five but have yet to bag a try-scoring bonus point. They picked up a losing bonus against Bective and have proven hard to beat. They should take the points at Towns Park on Saturday.
Old Crescent (9th) v Malone (5th), Rosbrien
Old Crescent are mid-table with two wins, two losses and an opening day draw against Old Wesley to their name.
The Limerick side’s last league game saw them going down to Dublin University by 28-10 on the road. Malone flattered to deceive at the start of last season, so they will want to avoid dropping off the pace again this year.
Three wins, including a try-scoring bonus point, and two losing bonuses gives them a nice tally of 15 points. A trip to Limerick always tests the mettle but they should take the spoils on Saturday.
Old Wesley (4th) v Clonakilty (16th), Donnybrook
Old Wesley seem to have recovered from last season’s indifferent form, with two draws, two wins and three try-scoring bonus points.
Clonakilty are really struggling so far with only two losing bonuses and a points difference of -60.
Wesley’s 130 points and try-scoring bonus haul suggests they could do some damage in this encounter at Donnybrook.
Terenure College (13th) v De La Salle Palmerston (2nd), Lakelands Park
Terenure’s two from five puts them in the same bracket as Bective, Thomond, Crescent and City of Derry and they have secured only one losing bonus point.
DLSP are sitting second in the league after a flying start to the season. Their one loss was under floodlights to Greystones.
‘Salmo’s three try-scoring bonus points suggest they can run the ball, so the current clement weather will suit them. Back them to take another win at Lakelands on Saturday.
Bective Rangers (12th) v Thomond (10th), Donnybrook (2.30pm, Sunday, November 27)
A Sunday kick-off for this game as Old Wesley have the ground they day before. Rangers have not really fired up this season, losing three games in the opening rounds. An improvement is needed or Christmas will not be fun.
Thomond are two points clear of them in the table, thanks in the main to a draw with Old Wesley.
While they would prefer a win on Sunday, a similar result against the second Donnybrook outfit could be on the cards.