Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, December 3

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Clonakilty (16th) v Greystones (8th), Shannonvale Cross

The Christmas break looms and Clonakilty are already looking at a relegation battle for the remainder of the campaign.

Beaten last week by a resurgent Old Wesley, this weekend Clon entertain another side on the rise in the form of Reggie Corrigan’s Greystones.

The Wicklow outfit seem to have found their feet and will look to push on with a result on the road this weekend.

De La Salle Palmerston (1st) v Corinthians (5th), Kirwan Park

A crucial game for both sides this weekend. De La Salle Palmerston lead the league with an impressive five wins and three try-scoring bonus points.

Visitors Corinthians are just five points behind them in fifth place and showed they can mix it with the top four in beating Queen’s last Saturday.

This will test the DLSP mettle and offers the Galway men a chance to prove that the West is awake!

Dublin University (3rd) v City Of Derry (13th), College Park

Trinity bounced back from their Colours disappointment with a win over Midleton last Saturday. They are sitting nicely in third place with 21 points.

City of Derry have struggled with the move up a division and come into this game on the back of defeat to fellow promoted club Seapoint.

Dublin University should be strong enough to take the points at home but try-scoring bonuses evade them and that could be crucial come the end of the season.

Instonians (14th) v Bective Rangers (10th), Shaw’s Bridge

Instonians have also struggled with the move up a division and they will be keen to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Bective have yet to show the consistent form that from the tail end of last season but they notched up an impressive win at home last weekend that bodes well.

The Belfast side badly need another win but the visitors could take the points, albeit in a tight game, this Saturday.

Malone (7th) v Midleton (15th), Gibson Park

Malone’s three and three for the season to date is not bad. More impressive are the losing bonus points they have collected in each of the defeats.

The relegation battle could be east Cork against west Cork if Midleton continue to struggle – one win in six games.

Home advantage helped Malone to an impressive victory over Corinthians and they should achieve a similar result this Saturday in Gibson Park.

Queen’s University (4th) v Old Crescent (9th), Dub Lane

The students from Queen’s came a-cropper last weekend in Galway, though they did take a losing bonus point – their second in as many losses.

Old Crescent have nudged their way up the table with three wins and a draw to their name. They edged out Malone last time out by a point at Rosbrien.

Queen’s have looked impressive and look to run the ball. If the conditions suit they will look for more of the same but as the weather turns they need to be able to adapt. Saturday will test them.

Seapoint (6th) v Old Wesley (2nd), Kilbogget Park

Seapoint seem to have adapted well to life in Division 2A; their four wins have them in sixth place on 18 points.

Old Wesley make the short trip out the N11 to Kilbogget Park on Saturday on the back of a big win over Clonakilty.

The visitors have scored four try-scoring bonuses, no mean feat given they have drawn two games. Like the clash at Kirwan Park, this game has a big bearing on the top of the table.

Thomond (11th) v Terenure College (12th), Liam Fitzgerald Park

Both sides are struggling to find any sort of form and hosts Thomond shipped 39 points away to Bective Rangers last weekend.

Terenure College at least garnered a losing bonus point against DLSP last Saturday but with a points difference of minus 38 they are not firing.

A trip to Limerick is always daunting, and no venue more so than Liam Fitzgerald Park. Home advantage and a home win then for Thomond.