Ballynahinch will as First Trust Senior Cup winners represent Ulster in the All Ireland Bateman Cup semi finals along with the winners in each of the provinces. Due to Ulster and Ulster A club commitments this weekend, Ballynahinch will have to rely on their club players to face Leinster Cup holders Old Belvedere in Dublin. Munster Cup winners Cork Constitution are favourites to win the Cup for the fourth season in a row when they play Connacht winners Buccaneers.
It is back to league action for the clubs in Section 2 of the Ulster Bank League this weekend after the Xmas break with the Section 1 teams resuming on the 28th January. Malone have already to returned to UBL action. They made the long journey to Cork last weekend and recorded an impressive 37 – 5 bonus point win against Sunday’s Well at Irish Independent Park. This fixture had been brought forward from the 11th February due to Munster playing a PRO 12 fixture at the same venue.

Banbridge, Queens Uni and Malone are in the top five of Div 2A with four points separating these teams. Armagh are top of Div 2B and remain the only undefeated team in the UBL with Dungannon hoping to reclaim their place in the top four. Rainey OB top Div 2C with Bangor chasing a top four finish. Belfast Harlequins and City of Derry have much work to do to avoid relegation from Div 2A and B.

In the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Instonians, Omagh and Ballyclare occupy the top three places in Div 1 with seven games remaining. Omagh have one game in hand with three points separating these teams. Portadown, Enniskillen, and Clogher Valley are separated by eight points as they battle it out to finish in 4th place. Cooke, Carrickfergus and Dromore are separated by two pints as they avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs. Bottom side Ards picked up their first league point in their 15 – 10 home defeat to Clogher Valley.

In Division Two Coleraine have returned to the top of the league after defeating Limavady with CIYMS going down to a last minute score at Belmont to lose 14 – 13. Five teams in 3rd – 7th place are separated by four points. Can one of these teams challenge CIYMS to finish in 2nd place. Both UUC and Lisburn meet in a crucial game this weekend that could go some way to deciding who finishes in 9th place. Bottom side Donaghadee remain without a win.

In Division Three leaders Ballymoney remain undefeated after 13 matches. They have a three point advantage on 2nd place PSNI with two games in hand. Lurgan remain in 3rd place four points behind the PSNI. They travel to play Ballymoney having defeated them in the 1st round of the Gordon West Cup.

The IRFU clubs committee met up with the representatives of the eleven Ulster UBL clubs this week. With the present arrangements due to continue until the end of season 2017/18 it will be interesting to see what changes if any will be made. Any proposed changes would have to be confirmed with the clubs by the end of April 2017.

We have had previous discussions on whether the Ulster Bank All Ireland League can continue to be supported by the IRFU in its present format. Questions asked included; do we need 50 clubs in five division. Should we not have 10/20 clubs in two divisions of 10 or one division of 10 supported with financial assistance from the IRFU to provide a pathway into the professional game in Ireland with the remaining clubs returning to playing in their province. What I noticed in Ulster this season has been the added interest in the SONI Premiership League with Ulster players playing in the competition. Apart from the top Ulster club sides that play in Div 1B or 2A which appeals. Travelling to Cork, Limerick and Galway in the Ulster Bank All Ireland league or playing fixtures against fellow Ulster Clubs. Player commitment, work and social changes continue to impact on teams selections.

There remain many unanswered questions centred around finance despite the introduction of Reg 6 that prohibits payments to players. Do clubs have the finances and playing resources to play in the Ulster Bank League. Guidelines were introduced for clubs playing in the league. Do all the clubs meet these requirements.

There are a lot of positive stories this season in leagues with few fixtures being postponed and having to be rearranged due to inclement weather. I noticed with concern that Dromore seconds and thirds conceded their matches last Saturday. City of Derry seconds conceded their match away to Coleraine seconds with Coleraine thirds conceding their match away to Rainey thirds. Lisburn thirds also conceded their match away to Malone fourths. It can be difficult for clubs who have teams struggling to travel and play teams topping their league. It is sad to see a club like City of Derry struggling to field sides with the withdrawl of Londonderry YMCA from playing club rugby in the City. Hopefully this player shortage can be reversed in the North West.

Queens University Rugby Club are organising a ‘Queens Lions Legends’ Dinner to take place at the Whitla Hall Queens University on the 21st April. The Media launch for this Dinner will take place at the Lanyon Building on Tuesday the 24th January 2017 at 12.30PM. Former Lions Trevor Ringland, David Irwin and Nigel Carr will be in attendance.

BATEMAN CUP SEMI FINALS

Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere
Despite winning the First Trust Senior Cup three seasons in a row; Ballynahinch as Ulster's representatives have been unable to progress from the semi finals to the Bateman Cup final with Munster Senior Cup holders Cork Constitution chasing their fourth consecutive Bateman Cup success. The challenge for the County Down club is to make the final without any of their Ulster squad players due to Ulster and Ulster A fixtures on Saturday.

Head coach Derek Suffern will have to rely on his club players who on several occasions this season have had to represent the clubs 1st xv in Section 1B of the Ulster Bank League. Be under no illusions for Ulster clubs to compete in Section 1 of the All Ireland League you need players with the conditioning levels of professional players to be competitive at this level. Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham will tell you the impact of having professional players has on the performance of Ulster teams at this level. We should also be aware Ulster have no teams competing in Section 1A of the All Ireland League.

Former Ballynahinch Captain Paul Pritchard moved during the off season to Old Belvedere and will face his former team mates at Anglesea Road on Saturday.

Ballynahinch Director of rugby Ronnie Duncan has confirmed that it will be a club team who will play Old Belvedere on Sat. He agrees it is going to be a huge test for his players. Yes his club players have performed well in All Ireland League Div 1B games against Old Wesley and Shannon. Div 1A side Old Belvedere with present a different challenge.

Old Belvedere (Leinster) v Ballynahinch ( Ulster)
Cork Constitution (Munster) v Buccaneers (Connacht)

ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE
DIV 2A

Banbridge v Highfield
Head coach Daniel Soper is aware 4th place opponents Highfield will travel with confidence after defeating Banbridge 26 - 15 at home on the 3.12.16. He agrees this fixture will be tough but it is also an opportunity to build momentum for the second half of the UBL campaign.

He has also watched with interest how teams such as Old Wesley and Naas competed with Banbridge for promotion in recent seasons and have consolidated their position in Div 1B. However leagues reward consistency and he feels that is where his team need to be.

The coach is expecting to lose out half Andrew McGrath who will be involved with Ulster A this week. Captain Adam Ervine returns after a month in NZ along with second row Chris Allen who was out with a shoulder injury. The rest of his team is similar to the side that defeated Dungannon 22 – 3 in the SONI Ulster league with number 8 Stephen Irvine scoring two tries.

Belfast Harlequins v Malone
Head coach Andrew Gillespie has been delighted with the turnaround in the performances of his Quins team after a difficult first half to their season. Back to back wins over Rainey OB and Bangor in the SONI Ulster league will have lifted morale as the Deramore side face Belfast derbies against Malone and Queens Uni on consecutive weeks in the All Ireland league. Quins are firmly rooted to the bottom of Div 2A – 10pts adrift of 9th place Cashel. They need league league points that will ensure we have a highly competitive Belfast derby this week.

The coach is aware that Malone will be favourites on present form. He will welcome back two experienced forwards for this week in Ben Alexander and Danny Annett. With several players carrying knocks from the win over Bangor , selection will not be finalised until Thursday night.

Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong was very pleased with the all round performance of the team last week in their 37 – 5 win in Cork against Sunday’s Well. He is aware that both games involving Malone and Quins have been tough encounters this season and he is expecting another tough game this weekend.

The coach has a number of niggling injuries from last Saturday with selection not being confirmed until Thursday night. He has commented on the positive attitude of the players to training with the focus on both the upcoming games for the 1st and 2nd’.

In the previous meetings at Gibson Park this season Malone won their SONI Ulster league on 27.8.16 - 29 – 5 and their UBL game on 3.12.16 - 22 – 0. Malone last played Quins in the UBL at Deramore Park on the 10.1.15 with the home side winning 32 - 12.

Queens Uni v Cashel
When these two sides met at the Dub Arena on the 3.12.16 Cashel upset the form book to win 24 – 22. For the return trip to County Tipperary this week Queens Head coach Bob Young will have to rely on his club players with both Ulster and Ulster A playing on Saturday. With four points separating the top five sides any team with promotion ambitions will have to start the second half of the season with a win. Not only will the unavailability of Ulster players impact on selection the coach has to deal with unavailabilities due to exams, injury and illness. As he said it will test the resolve of his playing squad.

Cashel have regained their form of previous seasons and will be a massive challenge at Spafield. Again selection will be delayed to Thursday night due to availability and fitness of players.

Banbridge (2) v Highfield (4)
Belfast Harlequins (10) v Malone (5)
Blackrock College (6) v Nenagh Ormond (1)
Cashel RFC (9) v Queens Uni (3)
Sunday’s Well (8) v Galway Corinthians (7)

DIV 2B

City of Derry v MU Barnhall.
When these two sides met on the 3 .12. 16, Barnhall ran out comfortable 41 – 3 winners. With the postponed game involving City of Derry and Dungannon played at Judges Road on the 31.12.16. City of Derry were able to hold on and record a 16 – 15 win over their Ulster rivals. Full back Neil Burns being the hero scoring all his sides points. Derry were strengthened by the return of several players home for Xmas. With the unavailability of these players City of Derry suffered defeats in the SONI Ulster league against Armagh 55 – 7 and Ballynahinch 45 – 21. There were positives in the performance against Ballynahinch with the team leading twice during the game before falling to the power of the Hinch side.

Player coach Richard McCarter is awaiting on training this week before their squad is selected. The challenge for the City of Derry squad is to survive in Div 2B this season. The next few games are crucial to his teams chances. The attitude amongst the squad will be to fight for every point.

Dungannon v Old Crescent
Five defeats in a row that started with a narrow 15 – 14 loss at home to this weeks opponents on the 3.12.16 will require all the coaching and management skills of Dungannon Head coach Andy Hughes to reverse. Will a trip to Limerick galvanise the Dungannon players as they seek to finish in the top four and the playoffs.

Andy Hughes is very pragmatic about the challenges for his players. The next two weeks are critical for the team and its ambitions this season. It is all about picking up points. He is hoping by February most of his squad will return from injury for the run in. At this stage his attitude is to take it one game at a time and wherever the team end up so be it. He feels his playing squad are good enough to finish in the top four, but with the level, injuries were always going to decide the outcome and unfortunately these last two months could have damaged the teams changes of the playoff, but the players will keep fighting.

It doesn’t look like it is going to get much easier this week. On the one hand he will have John Buckley, Jake Finlay and Josh Kennedy returning to the squad. On the other hand he has lost David Leyburn (Injury), Seamus Mallon (Work) to add to a list that already includes Steven Sinnamon, Karl Egan, Ross McCaughey, Mark riddell, Peter Gilkinson, Gerard Treanor, James Bates, Mark Faloon and Paul Armstrong all through injury or work.

There will be late fitness tests on Rodney Bennett and Captain James McMahon with the coach hopeful that both make a return this week.

Armagh v Wanderers
Head coach Alex McCloy has no injury worries for the return match with Dublin opponents Wanderers this week. They defeated Wanderers 39 – 11 at the Palace Grounds on the 3.12.16. Armagh remain the only undefeated team in the UBL and with games coming up with two of their closest rivals, Wanderers and Greystones there is an opportunity for this team to open up further their nine point advantage over second place Greystones in the coming weeks.

There was no rest for the Armagh players over the Xmas/New Year period with Head coach Alex McCloy and the clubs Rugby Consultant Brian McLaughlin putting the players through a mini pre season programme in preparation for the second half of their UBL programme. With emphatic SONI Ulster league wins over Ballynahinch 52 – 14 and City of Derry 55 – 7 there was disappointment in rugby circles that this Armagh team were to become victims of the winter weather as their eagerly anticipated SONI Ulster Senior league decider at Ballymena was postponed due to the weather. With Ballynahinch securing a b/p win at City of Derry , Armagh will require a bonus point win at Ballymena to prevent the Stevenson Shield from returning to Ballynahinch.

Bective Rangers (7) v Skerries (8)
City of Derry (9) v MU Barnhall (3)
Greystones (2) v Thomond (10)
Old Crescent (5) v Dungannon (6)
Wanderers (4) v Armagh (1)

DIV 2C
Bangor v Sligo
The North Down side have learned very quickly about the demands on players playing in the UBL after securing promotion this season. With nine matches played the Club have used 36 players. The omens are not good for this Bangor side this week who were beaten 51 – 17 by their opponents Sligo on the 3.12.16. Like all the Ulster UBL sides they will want to get the second half of their UBL campaign off to a win and reverse a five match losing run in the UBL and SONI Ulster league.

There was concern that an ever increasing injury list would impact on selection this week. The good news is that most of the players have recovered from their knocks and made themselves available to play with both Mike Apsley and James Henley unavailable.

David Charles returns after being out for eight months. Others to return include Andrew Shaw and Ryan Latimer and Mike Weir. The team will be selected from the following squad : Forwards - Philip Whyte (Captain), Andrew Jackson, James Leary, Conor Piper, Evan Wellard Mcmillan, Craig Burton, Matt Nesbitt, Dave Lynn, Ryan Latimer, Andrew Shaw, David Bradford. (Backs) Ali Lockhart, Jason Morgan, Gareth Wright, Mike Weir, Phil Broderick, Dave Charles, Mark Widdowson, Rob Gamble, Gareth Millar and Desi Fusco.

As 1st xv Manager Ricky Armstrong said; this is a huge game for Bangor and one they need to win.

Rainey OB v Bruff
When these two sides met on the 3.12.16 Bruff ran out narrow 15 – 11 winners. Rainey remain top of Div 2C with four points separating the top four teams. After losing three matches in the UBL and the SONI Ulster league there was the boost for the Rainey coaches and players when the team won 10 – 0 at Bangor last week as the players completed preparations for their return to the All Ireland League.

Bangor (6) v Sligo (3)
Boyne (10) v Kanturk (9)
Midleton (5) v Tullamore (4)
Rainey OB (1) v Bruff (7)
Seapoint (8) v Navan (2)

ULSTER RUGBY 2ND XV LEAGUE
Malone seconds v Ballynahinch seconds. Played Friday 20.1.17. Kick off 7.30PM
Armagh seconds v Banbridge seconds
Ballymena seconds v Belfast Harlequins seconds.

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1
Ards v Omagh
Head coach John West has been pleased with the progress his players have made since Xmas. The team have shown in their defeats against Clogher Valley (Twice) and Portadown the improvement they have made in their recent performances with over 30 players at training last Thursday night. Ards have a young playing squad with an average age of 23 years. The coach is expecting to have a full squad to select from with Omagh the visitors this week.

As Clogher coach David Black told me. If you want to be competitive in the Ulster Rugby Championship you need a strong front five. Last Sat against Clogher Valley the difference between the two teams was the strength of the Clogher front five. Ards could not match Clogher in this area with the Ards coach John West acknowledging that his young Ards front five will definitely benefit from their experience in Div 1 this season. They will get better and move forward quicker over the next couple of seasons with the same being said of the young Ards backline.

Omagh Head coach Philip Marshall knows his side face a tricky fixture with a much improved Ards team at Hamilton Park this week. He is hoping to build on their three back to back wins and will welcome back forwards Johnny Sproule and Adam Longwell. Work commitments rule out full back Lee Murphy. He is expecting a really tough game against a team fighting for their lives and getting a bit of form. He is just hoping that his team have that bit of quality to make the difference.

The previous league game between both sides at the Thomas Mellon playing fields was postponed due to inclement weather conditions on the 3.12.16.

Clogher Valley v Portadown
These two sides have already met twice this season with Clogher winning the first of two meetings at Chambers Park 15 – 8 on the 12.11.16 in the AIL Junior Cup and 17 – 14 on the 3.12.16 in the league. Clogher are undefeated in 8/9 games.

Portadown went down to a late score to lose 13 – 10 at home to league leaders Instonians at Chambers Park last week. They will need to carry this form into the return league game at the Cran with Clogher Valley. If the Portadown forwards can match their opponents there is no reason why the mid Ulster side cannot win this match.

Clogher Valley welcome back forwards Neil Henderson and Matty Robinson with Philip Wilson returning to take his place in the backs. Neil Cullen will start at full back with PC Falconer taking his place on the bench.

Portadown Head coach Richard Hedley was pleased with his teams performance against Instonians. The game was good, competitive and a entertaining match which was hard to lose in the end. Craig Woods was a late cry off through injury for the Inst game that required Tom Caesar to move to the centre and Jack Orr to the wing with both having good games. It was good to watch a game where both teams were trying to move the ball.

This Saturday will represent a different challenge with the Portadown forwards having to really step up to try and match a very good Clogher pack. Michael Orr is away this week so hopefully Brian Forestal will play at scrum half. Mark Henderson returns to the front row after missing the match last week.

Dromore v Ballyclare
When these two sides met at the Cloughan on the 3.12.16 Ballyclare were comfortable 32 – 7 winners. It has been a difficult period for Dromore Head coach Jonny Cullen and his players losing their last three competitive matches all away from home. The result is that his team have slipped down into 9th place and the playoff places level on points with 8th place Carrickfergus. In stark contrast Ballyclare have won their last three league games to remain three points behind league leaders Instonians in 3rd place and one point adrift of 2nd place Omagh. All too close to call with seven games remaining.

Dromore home form has been solid with wins over Omagh, Enniskillen and Cooke. It will take a massive effort form the players to beat an inform Ballyclare side.

Enniskillen v Cooke
How fortunes have changed for these two teams since they met at Shawsbridge on the 3.12.16 when Cooke won 24 – 9. Enniskillen have lost their last three league games against Omagh (2) and Ballyclare. Two inform teams placed 2nd and 3rd in Div 1. This newly promoted Enniskillen team have ambitions to finish in the top four and qualify for the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. Two of their defeats have been 9 – 8 at home to Omagh and 7 – 3 away to Ballyclare last Sat. Small margins decide games and like Carrick who were also promoted this season you need that bit of luck; witness the narrow wins Omagh and Instonians have secured to keep the top two places in the league.

Cooke will feel aggrieved they lost two games with neighbours Instonians but bounced back to beat Carrickfergus 20 – 9 last Saturday to take six points from their last three games with Enniskillen taking two points from their last three games. Every point is crucial in this league with different contests taking place at the top/middle and bottom of this league.

Cooke Head coach Colin Atkinson was delighted to get the victory against Carrick with his team missing out on opportunities to add the b/p. In the end Cooke had to defend very well to keep Carrick out and prevent them from getting a losing b/p.

Cooke scorers v Carrick
Kyle Mitchell 2 x tries, Jonathan Backus 1 x try. Alex Gourley 1 x con and 1 x pen.

Cooke scorers v Inst 31.12.16.
Alex Gourley 1 x try, Alan Gourley 3 x pens.

Cooke scorers v Inst 6.1.17
Matthew Elliott 1 x try, 1 x P/T, Alex Gourley 2 x cons and 1 x pen.

Injuries continue to rule out Alan Gourley, Captain Toby Mannus and Philip Doherty for the trip to Enniskillen. The two matches against Inst really took it out of the Cooke squad with many players carrying knocks. It was a case of a light training session before the match with Carrick. Selection for this week will be finalised on Thursday night with the coach expecting another tough fixture.

Instonians v Carrickfergus
Inst required late scores to win their last three league matches to hold on to 1st place in Div 1 and extend their unbeaten run to five matches. When these two sides met at the Tom Simms Memorial park on the 3.12.16 Instonians ran out narrow 10 – 3 winners. Carrick have slipped down into 8th place level on 18 points with 9th place Dromore with seven matches remaining. Inst Director of Rugby William Leacock would say Omagh are the title favourites with a game in hand. Both these teams meet at the Thomas Mellon playing fields in Omagh on the 18th February.

Instonians Head coach William Leacock is full of praise for his players in grinding out wins in the last five games. The team aren’t playing particularly well but have shown a great mentality to win games when maybe they haven’t deserved to. Portadown was a good game of rugby with both teams moving the ball. He felt a draw would’ve been a fair result but a last minute penalty kick from Richard McCarthy won the game for Inst.

The team are taking it one game at a time with Omagh firm favourites for the league with a game in hand and an easier run in.

The return of Inst early season second row pairing firmed up the pack at the weekend. The experienced Mike Blackwood and youthful Harry Gallagher gave the team a hard edge in the engine room. Corrie Barrett at hooker and Mark Keane at 13 have really stepped up and grown into key players in the team even though they are just out of school.

The coach welcomes back the experienced prop Alan Whitten along with Mark Mairs into the squad for this weekend.

Carrick have only won 1/7 that includes several narrow losses. That is the nature of rugby in Div 1.

Coaches Davy Scott and Mickey Rainey have to turn around a difficult run. But both agree this a young Carrick team playing with a lot of spirit and commitment.

Ards (10) v Omagh (2)
Clogher Valley (6) v Portadown (4)
Dromore (9) v Ballyclare (3)
Enniskillen (5) v Cooke (7)
Instonians (1) v Carrickfergus (8)

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2

Academy v Larne
After a good run Academy have lost their last three competitive matches. They remain in 4th place in a group of five teams separated by four points. Their opponents Larne went through a difficult period to win their last three matches including away wins at Virginia in the Towns Cup and UUC to move up into 6th place.

Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn is looking to turn his teams recent form around. Selection will be finalised on Thursday night. Both David Kenny and Steven Fawcett are ruled out through injury with Richard Henderson returning.

Larne Head coach Laurence Kelly is aware his team will need to be at their best on Saturday to come away from Roughfort with something from their match against Academy. Their opponents may have lost their last two matches but will be looking to get back to winning ways. Second place is up for grabs in Div 2 after CIYMS lost at home to Grosvenor last week with only a few points separating six teams. It will make for an interesting end to the season.

When these two sides met at the Glynn on the 22.10.16 Academy were narrow 29 – 23 winners. Expect another close match between these two teams this week.

Coleraine v CIYMS
When these two sides met at Belmont on the 17.12.16 the match finished in an highly entertaining 7 – 7 draw. League results at the weekend handed the advantage to Coleraine after their 31 – 12 win at Limavady with CIYMS losing 14 – 13 at home to Grosvenor. These results returned Coleraine to the top of Div 2 – two points ahead of CIYMS with a game in hand against Randalstown.

Head coach Richard Boyd was delighted to get the five points at Limavady last week. He thought his players showed real character to get another important win on the road. Limavady were a difficult side to play against and the conditions were a real leveller on the day. The Coleraine scrum and maul gave his team the edge with his players working hard to grind out a win.

The Coleraine squad are looking forward to this weekend and are fully focused upon getting a win at home. CIYMS are a very talented side and on their day could beat anyone in Junior rugby. However if his team prepare well this week and do the basics well on Saturday they should be in a good position to earn a victory.

In terms of selection Coleraine hope to be at full strength on Saturday with only Niall Irwin missing out due to concussion. Brian Hughes returns from a knock against Ballynahinch to bolster the pack.

In the backs Rhys McAuley returns to the starting team in place of Cameron Fulton. Captain Mikey Poskitt returns in the centre with Brian Cochrane retaining his place in the back three after returning to a rich vein of form in recent weeks.

The Coleraine coach is expecting a big crowd at the game with it being a good advert for Junior rugby with two good sides battling it out.

For CIYMS Head coach Gareth Fry it was a very frustrating game against Grosvenor on Sat. He felt his team struggled to play rugby in the right areas of the pitch at times. But fair play to Grosvenor they fought for every ball and every inch and in the end got over the line. A couple of mistakes at critical times cost CIYMS a win at the end.

If Grosvenor can continue to replicate that performance on Saturday they will move up the table very quickly. The coach will not finalise his selection to Thursday night.

Donaghadee V Grosvenor
The Dee remain without a league win despite improvements in recent games. They welcome a Grosvenor side fresh from a 14 – 13 win over CIYMS at Belmont last week. When these two sides met at Gibson Park on the 10.12.16 Grosvenor were comfortable 70 – 0 winners.

New Grosvenor Head coach Robert Ford is now seeing the benefits of the hard work being put in by his players before Xmas with the team in a group of sides separated by four points in 3rd – 7th place. Is it too late for them to challenge for 2nd place. Maximum points at the Dee with CIYMS losing at Coleraine would see this Grosvenor side closing the gap on 2nd place CIYMS to four points. There is a lot of drama in Div 1 will we see the same in Div 2 at both the top and bottom end of the table with all teams fighting for points.

Grosvenor Head coach Robert Ford and his forwards coach Michael ‘Waffle’ Smyth have developed and strengthened the clubs progress this season with the club fielding three teams and fulfilling all their fixtures.

This was demonstrated at Belmont last weekend by the attitude of the Grosvenor players who showed their character to score a last minute try through back row forward Jeff Mealiff and reduce the CIYMS lead to 13 – 12. Scrum half Alan McCluggage then stepped up to convert a touchline conversion for his team to win 14 – 13. What drama. The win showed what the team are capable off despite missed opportunities during the match. One of the problems for the team has been the lack of consistency in performance and team selection due to player unavailability, injuries and work commitments. Strength in depth has been a key factor in developing the player base at the club. With several changes each week it has been important to have a strong second xv with players that can step up and play for the 1st xv.

Grosvenor have strengthened their links with Grosvenor Grammar School as well as bringing in 10/12 players who joined the club this season. Valuable additions to the backline have included centres Mitchell McComb and Matt Johnston. Andrew Kelly has taken over the captaincy and along with his vice captain Alan McCluggage have played a key role in improving the teams performances and leading by example.
The coach welcomes back Alan Skelton with second xv captain John Lutton pushing for a starting place this week. Selection will be finalised on Thursday night. Both Philip Stoops and David Egner have returned to training with Egner unavailable for selection this week.

Limavady v Randalstown
Two teams separated by four points in this highly congested chase to finish in second place. Limavady may have lost their last three games against Coleraine (2) and a strong Armagh seconds side in the Towns Cup but they are still in 3rd place eight points behind 2nd place CIYMS. Win against Randalstown on Sat with CIYMS losing at Coleraine to narrow the gap with the East Belfast side still to travel to play away to the Roe-siders at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds. Head coach Mark Nicholl and his players have everything to play for with eight games remaining.

Randalstown are a further four points behind Limavady in 7th place. They have won back to back league games against 4th place Academy along with a Towns Cup win over Banbridge seconds to earn a place away to Ards in the second round of the Towns Cup to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Limavady Head coach Mark Nicholl and his players were disappointed with the final score against Coleraine on Saturday. He felt his players should and could have got something out of the game.

His players are looking no further than the Randalstown game this week. They are taking it one game at a time and will take stock at the end of the season where they are.

He is expecting to be at almost full strength for this fixture.

Randalstown Head coach Gary Longwell was delighted with his teams win against Academy. He was also impressed by the fantastic spirit shown by the Academy players despite suffering several injuries, the team never gave up.

When these two sides met at Nelisbrook on the 10.12.16 Limavady were narrow 28 – 24 winners.

UUC v Lisburn
The focus maybe on what is happening at the top end of the table in Div 2. This weekend we have two teams both in need of league points to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs in Div 2. Lisburn have an eight point advantage on 9th place UUC. They will be looking a win to consolidate their position. The students lost two closely contested games with Larne 37 – 27 and 20 -15. Lisburn completed the double over struggling Donaghadee 45 – 16 at Blaris to take maximum points.

UUC Director of Rugby Brett Campbell was pleased to pick up the losing bonus point after having a player sent off in their 20 -15 home loss to Larne last Saturday. It was another good game against Larne with the students leading 15 – 10 at halftime. The turning point in the match was the sending off in the second half. The students are looking forward to the visit of Lisburn this week. They will have centre J Perry returning along with second row Jake Stevenson. Influential second row Gary Burke is unavailable this week. The UUC team are looking to build on their improved performances in recent weeks to provide Lisburn with a sterner test following the 31 – 0 defeat at Blaris on the 10.12.16.

Lisburn Head coach Andy Postlethwaite was pleased with his teams workman like performance in their 45 – 16 win over Donaghadee last Saturday. Despite a few players being unavailable at the last minute he was just delighted to get the points.

The coach has been keeping an eye on the students who were unlucky not to beat Larne last Saturday. UUC has always been a difficult place to get a win over the years where the games have always been tight affairs up there between the two teams. You never know what student team you play when you play them at home.

Lisburn have a few injuries along with unavailabilities but will be confident of fielding a strong side. It is all about putting some distance between ourselves in 8th place and the students in 9th place.

Academy (4) v Larne (6)
Coleraine (1) v CIYMS (2)
Donaghadee (10) v Grosvenor (5)
Limavady (30 v Randalstown (7)
UUC (9) v Lisburn (8)

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 3
Ballymoney (1) v Lurgan (3)
Cavan (9) v Newry (5)
Holywood (7) v BHSFP (6)
Monaghan (11) v Letterkenny (10)
Ophir (12) v PSNI (2)
Strabane (4) v Virginia (8)

George