The race for promotion is still wide open in Division 2B of the Energia All Ireland League.
Leaders Greystones will be looking to keep up their winning form at home to basement side Galwegians while third placed Blackrock College host fourth placed Wanderers at Stradbrook. Belfast Harlequins will be looking to find their first win in three games at Deramore Park where they play Sligo who are just two points ahead of them in the standings.
Greystones v Galwegians, Saturday 29th January, Dr.Hickey Park, 2:30pm.
With ten wins from eleven games, Greystones have without a doubt set the pace in Division 2B and are sitting eight points clear at the summit of the table. Stones grinded out a narrow victory over Sligo last week at Hamilton Park to extend their advantage. Galwegians could be in for a difficult task if previous results are anything to go by. Wegians haven’t won a game since matchday one where they beat Ballina and fell to a big defeat at the hands of local rivals, Galway Corinthians last time out. Ferdia Kenny is Greystones’ top try scorer this season and his link up with out half Killian Marmion has caused defences across the league problems throughout the season. The emerging form of Ntuthuko Mthembu has also been a plus for Greystones in recent week with the hooker scoring the late winner in last weeks’ vital victory.
Galway Corinthians v Malahide, Saturday 29th January, Corinthian Park, 2:30pm.
Corinthians have found themselves playing some fantastic, free flowing rugby in recent weeks and have won seven games on the bounce to cement themselves as Greystones’ biggest challenger. Corinthians cruised to a comfortable bonus point victory over Galwegians last week and will be eager to maintain their momentum this week at home to Malahide. The Estuary Road outfit found their second win of the campaign last weekend at home to Ballina in a game which ended 35-25 to the hosts. A surprise win for Malahide could see them leapfrog Ballina in eighth place should the Mayo side fail to win.
Blackrock College v Wanderers, Saturday 29th January, Stradbrook, 2:30pm.
This clash between two of the division’s strongest clubs could prove to be a classic, with promotion in sight for both teams. Rock have overcome their run of poor form before the Christmas break and have won both their opening games since returning to action this month. Rock beat Dungannon 22-20 away from home last weekend and will be keen to find another win this week over rivals’ Wanderers. The Chaps have also been in good form of late and it took a last gasp winning try from Greystones to defeat them a fortnight ago. Wanderers bounced back last week with a bonus point victory over Belfast Harlequins.
Belfast Harlequins v Sligo, Saturday 29th January, Deramore Park, 2:30pm.
Quins will be keen to forget about recent results and a win over promotion rivals’ Sligo would help with their case. Belfast Harlequins looked as if they would be Greystones’ closest challenger before Christmas, but their recent poor form has pushed the Ulster side down to sixth place in the table. Sligo are sitting two points ahead of them in fifth place after last week’s late defeat to Greystones. Out half Josh Reeves has been in fine form from the tee for his side in recent time and Cal Goddard has proved to be a handful for defenders when given space.
Ballina v Dungannon, Saturday 29th January, Heffernan Park, 2:30pm.
Two sides that are desperately in need for a win meet this weekend. A bonus point win for Malahide will take them to within one point of Dungannon. Ballina have only found one win so far this campaign but have taken a share of the spoils on three other occasions. The Tyrone side are without a win since November where they cruised past Malahide and will be eager to bounce back to form heading into the business end of the campaign.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.