Ulster Bank League: Division 2A Previews
Cashel’s unbeaten run came to an end last weekend as Malone toppled them at home to move to third in the Division 2A table. Can the Belfast side maintain the winning ways at home this weekend?
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: DIVISION 2A: Saturday, November 7
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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Cashel (1st) v Queen’s University (7th), Spafield
Cashel lost their unbeaten run at home last weekend in a cracker of match against Malone. They are at home to another Ulster club this weekend but will be aiming for a different outcome against Queen’s.
The students, with Damon Hall and Nick Timoney standing out, drew their last game against UCC picking up a try bonus as part of it.
Malone (3rd) v Nenagh Ormond (10th), Gibson Park
Injury-hit Malone pulled off the win of round 6 with their result on the road to Cashel last weekend. Centre Nathan Brown and talismanic captain Neil Alcorn were excellent on the day.
They face another Tipperary club this weekend but one in a very different position as Nenagh Ormond struggle at the bottom of the table. A home success is on the cards if Malone can keep up the momentum.
Naas (4th) v Corinthians (6th), Forenaughts
Naas slipped to fourth after their 11-0 loss to Banbridge and Malone’s impressive win over Cashel. Johne Murphy’s charges are now five points behind the top three.
Saturday sees them hosting a resurgent Corinthians side that picked up their third win of the campaign over Skerries last Saturday.
The Galway men have started to clicked under new head coach Ene Fa’atau, with youngsters James Connolly and David Panter putting in some terrific performances. So, this is an important game for both sides as they look to keep up with the clubs above them.
Skerries (9th) v Thomond (8th), Holmpatrick
A key game for both clubs as they strive to get out of the relegation zone. Skerries are hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 18-point loss to Corinthians last weekend.
Thomond beat Nenagh Ormond in the last round to move up to eighth, with ex-Shannon league winner Fiach O’Loughlin among the try scorers. A win on the road would be another step in the right direction.
Holmpatrick may not be accommodating on Saturday, however, as Skerries aim for their second home victory of the campaign.
UCC (5th) v Banbridge (2nd), the Mardyke
UCC played out a high-scoring 34-all draw with Queen’s University last Saturday to move up to fifth place. Influential forwards Conor Barry, Edward Earle and Guillaume Baude all crossed the whitewash in the second hlf.
Banbridge capitalised on the Cashel loss by beating Naas in a tight game. A win for UCC could put them into fourth but Bann’s defence – currently the best in the division – is likely to frustrate them.
Banbridge head coach Daniel Soper said: “We face a big challenge in Cork next Saturday. We need to start picking up wins away from home to hit our targets.”