We’re in round five of division 1B and each week it proves to be probably the most competitive and entertaining of all the leagues. What surprises are in store for us this weekend?
Old Belvedere V Old Wesley, Sat November 5th, Ollie Campbell Park, 2:30pm
This is probably the game of the round in 1B this weekend. These two sides always play out a highly entertaining contest.
Old Belvedere will be hoping to get back to winning ways at home after a disappointed defeat to an inform Buccaneers last Saturday. They usually produce some of their best performances in Ollie Campbell Park and they’ll need more of the same to get the result in this one.
Old Wesley is in the same boat as Old Belvedere, they’ve won two and lost two, with both of their wins coming at home in Energia Park. They did well to grind out a close win against Highfield last week.
A positive result for either side would keep them within touching distance of the leading pack.
UCC V Naas, Sat November 5th, The Mardyke, 2:30pm
UCC look to maintain their 100% winning start to the season when they welcome Johny Murphy Naas to the Mardyke on Saturday.
Life is nicer for UCC this season, it’s a much better feeling to be top of the 1B table then it is to be bottom of 1A. They’ve taken eighteen out of a possible twenty points and they look like the real deal leading from the front.
A strong second half performance got Naas their first win of the season at home to Malone last week. Scrum half Oscar Cawley has scored four tries in three games, with Andrew Osbourne and Donal Conroy in great scoring form also. Could they pull of the upset of the weekend, it is possible
St Mary’s College V Banbridge, Sat November 5th, Templeville Road, 2:30pm
St Mary’s sit third in the standings, confidence of another victory will be high heading into the weekend.
They turned on the style in their impressive win over City of Armagh in the last game, winning 39-22. Out half Mick O’Gara is leading the scoring charts on forty-two points. They will be eyeing their third win of the campaign.
Banbridge, with only one win to their name so far, will need to have a big performance to beat St Mary’s. Due to the URC being off, there is the potential that some Ulster representatives could return to their setup.
City of Armagh V Highfield, Sat November 5th, Palace Grounds, 2:30pm
Both teams are coming off the back of losses last week. Highfield haven’t won a game since round two.
City of Armagh sit on ten points, with Highfield in fourth on eleven points. it should be a very competitive affair where home advantage might play a role, the Armagh men will be hoping so anyway.
The Cork side lost by the smallest of margins in the last game against Old Wesley. Cian Bohane is joint top try scorers, with four tries. Can he inspire his team to the away victory?
Malone V Buccaneers, Sat November 5th, Gibson Park, 2:30pm
Buccaneers have been the surprise package in the league so far and many will favour them to get their fourth consecutive win up north this weekend.
Eddie O’Sullivan has made quite the start and his talented team will be hard to stop.
Malone are struggling a little bit, but a win against Buccs could give them the boast they need.
