Competitive and exciting games is something we’ve become accustomed to when watching 1B unfold this season and this weekend is no different. Can Naas halt City of Armagh’s winning run? Who will come out on top in the Dublin derby between Old Wesley and St Mary’s? Will Old Belvedere get win number four on the bounce? These are some of the key questions going into game week 11.
Naas V City of Armagh, Saturday January 21st, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
This is arguably the game of the week in division 1B this weekend. Form suggests the visitors should pick up the win, but it would be silly to bet against Johny Murphy’s team to make a surge up the table in the weeks to come.
Chris Parker’s troops are level on points with league leaders Buccaneers at the top of the table. They are on a six-game winning run. A win away in Kildare would be a big statement.
If we remember back to last season, Naas made a late charge to finish just inside the playoff places. They currently sit in seventh and a fair few points off the leading pack, but they know that they have the players to turn it around and potentially change their fortunes this season. A win at the weekend could be the start of the comeback.
St Mary’s College V Old Wesley, Saturday January 21st, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
This is definitely a close second as the game of the week contender. It’s the Dublin derby, D6 hosting D4, both eager to strengthen their case in that top four battle
It’s been a rough few weeks for Sean Cronin’s side who have slipped all the way down to sixth in the table after a few defeats. however, if they were to beat their neighbours this weekend, they could climb back into the top four depending on other results.
Old Wesley are in fifth place, just outside the big places. They’ve had a mixed season so far, with six win and four defeats, very different to last season where they only lost twice throughout the league campaign.
UCC V Highfield, Saturday January 21st, The Mardyke, 2:30pm
It’s a weekend filled with local derby’s and here is another. A struggling UCC host fourth place Highfield. It is an important game for both sides, but for different reasons.
Highfield are a side in form, getting better with every performance. They’ll be confident that they can continue their winning ways on Saturday.
Michael Bradley’s UCC look like a shadow of the team that won the first four games of the league campaign. It looks like things are going from bad to worse for them. The defeats are more like hammerings now. Can they do anything to stop the rot?
Banbridge vs Buccaneers, Saturday January 21st, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Top of the table Buccaneers make the journey up north on Saturday to face the team near the bottom of the standings Banbridge.
Form suggests Eddie O’Sullivan should get win number nine as Buccs Head Coach, however, stranger things have happened and as we say most weeks, Banbridge can beat anyone on their day in Rifle Park.
Malone V Old Belvedere, Saturday January 21st, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
Old Belvedere is on the hunt for their fourth win on the bounce. They are a team on the rise, sitting in third place on the table.
The arrival of kiwi duo Kale Thatcher and Jayden Beckett has made a big difference to them this season. Former U20’s captain Callum Dowling is also having a brilliant season, scoring tries for fun.
Like Banbridge, Malone have struggled to really get going. One thing is for sure, they make it difficult for anyone who visits Gibson Park
