While the battle rages on for survival in 2B, Instonians can take another step towards the 2B title as they travel to meet Sligo in Round 15 of the season.
Dungannon v Wanderers, Saturday March 2nd, Stevenson Park, 2:30pm
Wanderers aim to keep pressure applied on Instonians chase for the 2B title as they look to be Kings in the North against Dungannon.
Gannon very much have a mixed run of results of late and will need to be at their best to tackle the power of Wanderers. The hosts narrowly got past Skerries last time out ending a three game losing run in the process, they will want to take points as they are just eight clear of the drop zone.
The Chaps meanwhile had their impressive unbeaten streak ended in narrow fashion by Instonians last time out and will want to remain on their coattails this weekend to stay in the title race. Only two points separated these two in November, this will be a closely fought contest for sure.
Galway Corinthians v Dolphin, Saturday March 2nd, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
Two teams fighting at different ends of the tables, Dolphin need a win to keep their hopes of survival alive as that relegation battle continues to be a real slobberknocker.
Corinthians look assured of a spot in the promotion play-offs, as the weeks draw in they will want to build momentum and to overcome a side at the foot of the table would be a must for them in that regard. With three wins in their last five including their last outing, form is with them.
Dolphin are in ninth and every point is a step closer to safety. Malahide sit ahead of them on score difference, with a gap of six points to seventh place. Dolphin did score a big win in the last round winning 21-0 over Rainey. They will need another big performance to avoid another drop this season.
Rainey RFC v Malahide, Saturday March 2nd, Hatrick Park, 2:30pm
Mathematically Rainey can still make the promotion play-off places but will need results to go in their favour in these coming weeks, relegation-threatened Malahide are first up in these final run-in of games.
Losing last time out was a big blow for the confidence of Rainey. A streak of mixed results has been less than favourable in their pursuit of Sligo. Two wins in their last five has kept them very much adrift of the play-offs, they have a 14 point gap to claw back and need to cut that down this weekend.
Malahide meanwhile are hanging in there, they need a result however to keep Dolphin at bay behind them to stay afloat. The Dubliners have taken just a single win in recent outings and must end their run sooner than later as the race really heats up in that section of the table.
Skerries v Belfast Harlequins, Saturday March 2nd, Holmpatrick, 2:30pm
Skerries are not entirely safe just yet but a win over the basement side in 2B would give them the chance to move further away from the relegation zone.
The Goats are in seventh place six clear of the drop zone. They have taken some impressive wins in their first cut of 2B and will aim to stay here next year. A squad that has plenty of talent and has shown their talent countless times, if they can win this game it may be that spark needed to see out the campaign.
Harlequins are four adrift of Dolphin and Malahide and see every game now as a must win, these points the difference between 2C and 2B rugby. Quins losing streak is becoming a serious worry, the side are very much in bother and need to take some points sooner than later, with Dolphin and Malahide to come, they need to be closing that gap.
Sligo v Instonians, Saturday March 2nd, Hamilton Park, 2:30pm
Leaders Instonians hope to keep their unbeaten run going as they take on Sligo out West this weekend.
Sligo are on a four game winning streak and looking to keep this momentum going into the play-offs if they can prevent Rainey catching them in the process. Sligo look sharp of late and have taken the points in strong fashion, this is a tougher test however, they lost 52-19 when the sides met in November and Sligo will be wary of the threat Stones bring.
While their bonus point streak ended last time out, taking a 14th successive win of the campaign has Instonians nine points from the title. Record breakers and history makers, the lads from Belfast have been the pace setters all year and a bonus win this weekend could well see them crowned champions next weekend with a home tie against Rainey.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.