Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
It is the last day of the regular season and there is still a promotion spot up for grabs and a relegation play-off to be avoided. Plenty of action in Division 2A with the clash between UCC and City of Derry as our ‘match of the day’.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, April 12
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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Ballymena (3rd) v NUIM Barnhall (5th), Eaton Park
What a final weekend for Ballymena. A point behind UCC in the race for promotion and hosting an NUIM Barnhall side whose hopes were dashed in the last two games.
The Kildare side cannot get promoted but they can finish the season with a flourish if they are up for the challenge.
The home crowd will be keeping an eye on twitter for updates from the Mardyke while roaring on their team. A cracker.
Banbridge (7th) v Naas (13th), Rifle Park
Banbridge are comfortable in mid-table but they would like to finish the season with a win to balance up the ratio.
Naas need the win to ensure they don’t get snagged in a relegation playoff match should Highfield win at home.
That alone should drive the away team to take the win on the road.
Cashel (9th) v Bruff (15th), Spafield
Two strong community clubs with contrasting fortunes. In many ways Cashel followed the Bruff template in gaining promotion. A win on Saturday would just edge the win/loss record in their favour.
Bruff are club in rebuilding mode – going back to their roots and coping with the impact of the economic downturn.
It has been a tough season and the visitors would love to finish with a win but the home side should edge it.
Galwegians (1st) v Rainey Old Boys (10th), Crowley Park
It cannot have been easy for ‘Wegians watching Corinthians flying in the division above them. The derby game next season should be a cracker.
Thirteen wins, seven try bonuses and a lead of twelve points shows just how good the Division 2A champions are.
They will hope to sign off with a flourish against a mid-table but game Rainey side on Saturday.
Highfield (14th) v Bective Rangers (11th), Woodleigh Park
A ‘must win’ game for the Cork side if they are to stand any chance of avoiding a relegation play-off match. Even then they need Naas to lose in Rifle Park.
Bective continue their unbroken record in Division 2A but they must be aiming for a better return next season than the 30 points they already have.
Need and desire should fire the home side to a win.
Queen’s University (6th) v Old Crescent (15th), Dub Lane
Queens flirted with the promotion spots but in the end their eight wins and five try bonuses still only has them in 6th place.
Visitors Old Crescent are resigned to playing in Division 2B next season. They only managed three wins but the four losing bonus points show the narrow margins that have cost them their place.
Queen’s should be too strong at home.
Seapoint (12th) v Old Wesley (8th), Kilbogget Park
Like Naas the home side need a win to ensure they do not end up in a play-off battle. Win and they are safe, lose and they sweat on the results from Rifle Park and Woodleigh Park.
Old Wesley are well safe in mid-table but this is a derby game so it is difficult to know how the game will go.
Again the need to win should drive the home side.
UCC (2nd) v City of Derry (4th), the Mardyke
Last day of the league and these two sides will battle it out for second place and promotion.
The visitors need a try bonus win to overtake their hosts but that will not distract them.
UCC need to win to stay ahead of Ballymena and secure promotion. All in all, this will go down to the wire!