1B is arguably the most competitive and exciting of the five divisions and it certainly has lived up to that reputation so far this season. Can anybody stop UCC?
Old Wesley V Highfield, Saturday Oct 29th, Energia Park, 2pm
Last season’s pacesetters Old Wesley and Highfield face off in Energia Park in what many believe is the game of the round.
The hosts will be eyeing a much-needed victory after losing their last two outings away to City of Armagh and Buccaneers. They won’t want a third consecutive defeat, considering the only lost a couple of times in the regular campaign last season.
The Cork club suffered their first defeat of the season against Eddie O’Sullivan’s Buccaneers in the last round 14-17. Despite that defeat, they have looked very good in their games. Centre Cian Bohane is in brilliant. They’ll be confident they can get back to winning ways this weekend.
Buccaneers V Old Belvedere, Saturday Oct 29th, Dubarry Park, 2:30pm
The inform Buccaneers welcome Old Belvedere to Dubarry Park in round four of the competition.
Buccs have looked at home since being promoted from 2A. They currently sit second in the league standings and they have the best defensive record in the league.
Ben Mannion’s team will be eager to build some form away from home. A brilliant comeback against Naas gave them a good 25-22 win at home in the last game. They play an eye-catching brand of rugby. New signings Jayden Beckett and Kale Thatcher have made a telling impact on the team already.
Naas V Malone, Saturday Oct 29th, Forenaughts, 2:30pm
Naas will target this game as they look to get their first win on the board. They will be hoping home advantage will play a factor.
The Kildare team were somewhat unlucky not to get the win in their last game against Old Belvedere. There was plenty of positives in the performance. Young scrum half Oscar Cawley is in great form, scoring three tries in his last two games.
Malone look to build on their win against neighbours Banbridge in round three. A win for the Ulstermen away from home would be massive at this early stage of the season.
Banbridge V University College Cork, Saturday Oct 29th, Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Banbridge hope to become the first team to beat UCC this season when they meet them on Saturday afternoon.
The Ulstermen have only won one of their games so far. They will be aiming for a better return in this block of fixtures as they won’t want to be roped into a relegation battle again.
UCC fortunes have changed dramatically. Last season, they were on the end of some tough results and now spirts are high and they’re sitting top of the table in 1B. Michael Bradley will want this trend to continue.
St Mary’s College V City of Armagh, Saturday Oct 29th, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
This has the potential of being the most competitive game of the round. Two evenly matched teams go head-to-head in South Dublin.
St Mary’s hope to make Templeville Road a fortress this season, can they get another home win?
City of Armagh are the real dark horses of the divisions and they’ll be looking to win their third game out of four this weekend.
