Ulster Bank League: Play-Off Previews
The play-offs that will decide divisional status in 2A, 2B and 2C kick off this weekend with action in City of Derry, Skerries, Tullamore and Rainey.
ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: Saturday, April 16
Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –
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DIVISION 2A RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS –
City of Derry (2nd, Div 2B) v Sunday’s Well (3rd, Div 2B), Judge’s Road
At one stage City of Derry seemed unstoppable but five losses on the trot put paid to their charge. One of those was an 11-8 loss at home to Saturday’s opponents Sunday’s Well.
Can the hosts bounce back? Can the visitors repeat that win? So far this season it is one win apiece between them. Victory sees the winners move on to play either Skerries or Greystones the following weekend.
Skerries (9th, Div 2A) v Greystones (4th, Div 2B), Holmpatrick
Skerries are the club with the most to lose in these play-offs. in effect, they have to defend their Division 2A status over two matches – if they win the first one.
It is a tough ask as that first game sees them hosting Leinster rivals Greystones. The Co. Wicklow side finished the regular season with 11 wins in Division 2B. Skerries struggled to make headway in 2A.
An intriguing tie in prospect in Holmpatrick on Saturday afternoon and only half the job done at the final whistle.
DIVISION 2B RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS –
Rainey Old Boys (9th, Div 2B) v Wanderers (4th, Div 2C), Hatrick Park
At the other end of Division 2B, Rainey Old Boys could not avoid the relegation zone and now face Wanderers in the play-offs.
Wanderers finished fourth in Division 2C with 11 wins, but crucially showed themselves well capable of scoring tries with six try-scoring bonus points accrued. The winners of this clash go on to face either Tullamore or Bruff.
Tullamore (2nd, Div 2C) v Bruff (3rd, Div 2C), Spollanstown
Level on 61 points at the end of the season, it was Tullamore’s superior points scoring difference which saw them finish in second place. In all they scored 401 points but only conceded 196.
Bruff took the spoils 22-15 at home in September and edged the return fixture in Spollanstown a few weeks ago on a 9-8 scoreline.
That probably makes the Limerick side marginal favourites but this is knockout rugby and Tullamore have shown themselves adept at that in the past.