With the return of the Six Nations this weekend the action on the Domestic scene in Ulster focuses on the quarter finals of the River Rock Towns Cup and the Quarter Finals of the McCrea Cup with one game in Div 2 of the Kukri Ulster Rugby championship involving Coleraine playing neighbours UUC in a local derby. A win with a bonus point will see Coleraine open up a 13 point lead with four league games remaining on 2nd place CIYMS.

Last weekend was a mixed weekend for the Ulster UBL teams. Both Ballynahinch and Ballymena were depleted by the unavailability of Ulster players and went down against Galwegians and Old Wesley in Div 1B with these two teams struggling to make the top four and the playoffs with five games remaining.

In Div 2A there were wins for Banbridge, Malone and Queens Uni as they pursue a top four finish along with Munster teams Highfield and Nenagh Ormond. Belfast Harlequins are now 15 points adrift of 9th place Galway Corinthians with five games left.

Div 2B produced three wins for Armagh, Dungannon and City of Derry with Armagh returning to the top of the table. Dungannon are now in 5th place four points behind 4th place Old Crescent as they chase a play off place. City of Derry moved up to 8th place two points ahead of Bective Rangers in 9th place to extend their winning run to five matches.

Both Rainey OB and Bangor picked up much needed points. Rainey have slipped down to 3rd place level on points with 2nd place Sligo and four points behind leaders Navan. Bangor maintained their mid table position with a 7 – 7 draw at home to Kanturk.

In the Ulster Rugby Championship Omagh have moved into pole position in Div 1 after wins over Instonians and Ards. They now hold a five point advantage with three games remaining over Ballyclare and Instonians a further point behind. Portadown remain in 4th place and will be wary of 5th place Enniskillen closing in. The battle to avoid 9th place has become a straight shoot out between Dromore, Clogher Valley and Cooke with five points separating these teams with three games remaining. The relegation of Ards was confirmed after they lost 62 – 0 at Omagh on Tuesday night.

In Div 2 Coleraine have the opportunity to extend their lead to 13 points if they defeat UUC on Saturday and collect a bonus point. Grosvenor have closed the gap on CIYMS to two points with four games remaining. UUC look favourites to finish in 9th place and the playoffs as Lisburn have an eight point advantage.
In Div 3 the PSNI have a one point lead over Ballymoney who have two games in hand with four rounds remaining.

With Div 1 of the Ulster Rugby Championship being completed on the 18thMarch the winners will represent Ulster in the Round Robin playoffs involving the four provincial league winners..
Round 1: 1.4.17
Round 2: 8.4.17
Round 3: 22. 4.17
Playoff/UBL. Runners up in Round Robin will play 9th place team in Div 2C on the 29.4.17.

We have the semi finals of the Towns Cup and the McCrea Cup taking place on the 25th March.

Easter weekend we have four Cup Finals played.
15.4.17: Gordon West Cup Final
17.4.17: River Rock Towns Cup Final
18.4.17: Crawford Cup Final
19.4.17. McCrea Cup Final.

Ulster Rugby have announced that Richard Boyd Head coach of Coleraine Rugby Club has been appointed Head coach of the Ulster Juniors for the next three seasons. He will be assisted by Robert Ford as backs coach with Michael Ferguson assisting with the forwards. Both Colin Hunter and Billy Savage remain part of the support team from last season.

Commenting on his appointment, Richard Boyd is both delighted and honoured to be appointed Head coach of the Ulster Juniors with a young and ambitious coaching team to assist him. He is looking forward to working with the best players in Junior rugby and is hoping that all the players involved will first see it as a great opportunity to test themselves in a different environment against the best Junior players across Ireland.

The coach is aware and understands that the Ulster Juniors comes at the end of a long season for a number of players but is hoping that everyone involved really buys into the process with the full support from all the junior clubs across the province.

Ulster junior Fixtures.
29.4.17. Ulster v Munster ( Newry RFC), Leinster v Connacht.
6.5.17. Munster v Leinster, Connacht v Ulster.
13.5.17. Connacht v munster, Leinster v Ulster.

The All Ireland Bateman Cup Final will take place at Anglesea Road on 29th April 2017 between Old Belvedere and Cork Constitution with the match being screened by RTE.

Another match taking place this weekend is the Munster Senior Cup Final between Cork Constitution and Young Munster at Irish Independent Park on Sunday 26th February 2017.

This season there was to be two Club Ireland xv matches involving games against France and England during the Six Nations. France pulled out of the fixture three weeks ago. The game with England will go ahead at Temple Hill in Cork on the 17th March 2017. The only Ulster players involved are Connor Smyth, Ballymena and former Ballynahinch Captain Paul Pritchard who is playing his rugby for Old Belvedere this season.

Interesting to see the teams that played in Div 1 of the AIL when it was formed in 1990/91. They included Ballymena, Cork Constitution, Garryowen, Instonians, Lansdowne, Malone, St Mary’s College, Shannon and Wanderers.

In the Nutty Krust tournament at Chambers Park tonight, Malone defeated Ballymena 13 – 10. In the game played between Armagh and Enniskillen last Wednesday Armagh won 62 – 0.

The next game is on Wednesday the 1st March when Rainey play Ballynahinch with a 7.45PM kick off.

Disappointed to hear that there were not enough touch judges available to run the touchlines in Ulster UBL matches last week. Always seems to occur when Ulster are playing at home on a Saturday. In one match I was made aware of several unsavoury incidents that occurred with no Ulster touch judge on the touch line to draw the referees attention to the incidents of foul play.

RIVER ROCK TOWNS CUP QUARTER FINALS
Ards v Enniskillen
Carrickfergus v Ballynahinch seconds
Bangor seconds v Clogher Valley
Armagh seconds v Ballyclare

Ards v Enniskillen

Enniskillen face back to back games at Ards in the Towns Cup and the league in the next two weeks. These two teams have already met in the league at Mullaghmeen on the 17.9.16 when Enniskillen won 15 – 3. With Div 1 teams given a bye in the 1st round it was a case of Ards relying on extra time to defeat Randalstown 21 – 18 at Regent House in the 2nd round with Enniskillen travelling to Stevenson Park to defeat Dungannon seconds 27 – 6. Enniskillen lost the final 31 – 25 against Bangor last season and will be looking to go one step further this year. Ards last won the Towns Cup in 2003 when they defeated Coleraine 27 – 20.

It was a case of a depleted Ards team completing a 140 mile return trip to Omagh on Tuesday night to fulfil a rearranged league game. The 62 – 0 defeat confirmed the relegation of Ards to Division 2 next season. Head coach John West was asking his amateur players to play their second of three games in eight days. With a number of clubs questioning why they played only one match during a six week period in October and November there are questions to be answered by the Competition Management committee on the scheduling of fixtures prior to Xmas.
For the weekend game with Enniskillen, Ards are looking forward to this match. There is a belief amongst the players the team can use home advantage to progress to the semi finals. Selection will be finalised after training on Thursday.

Enniskillen Head coach William Gibson was pleased with his teams 19 – 5 win over Dromore last week. He thought the players controlled the game with all the tries coming through the backs with his team still having their eye on finishing in 4th place.

He is aware that Ards will be a dangerous team with nothing to lose on Sat. His team will be along similar lines to last week with a late fitness test on a second row. David Montgomery returns to take his place in the centre.

Carrickfergus v Ballynahinch seconds

This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season. In their first meeting at Ballymacarn Park on the 27.8.16 Ballynahinch defeated Carrickfergus 23 – 15 in the Conference league. Both teams were drawn together in the 1st round of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup at the Tom Simms Memorial Park with Ballynahinch winners by 18 – 17 on the 10. 9.16. Carrick last won the Towns Cup in 1992 when they defeated Ballyclare 9 – 3.

Ballynahinch went on to lift the Junior Cup defeating Omagh in the final at the Kingspan stadium. The team was also successful in winning Conference league Div 1. The only team to defeat them this season was Ballyclare in the Conference league. Ballynahinch last won the Towns Cup in 2015 defeating Clogher Valley 17 – 13.

Davy Scott and Michael Rainey took over the coaching of Carrickfergus this season from Neil Hanna. After a promising start the team struggled in the months leading up to Xmas. It was a case of a number of results just not going their way with narrow defeats. What impressed the coaches was that the players never waned in their commitment to get what they deserved. After a four match unbeaten run the team have moved up to 6th place in Div 1. One more league win will secure their place in the Division next season.

As with all teams injuries and unavailabilities due to work commitments are a weekly concern for coaches to manage. Injuries have included scrum half Conor Cambridge being ruled out for the remainder of the season with utility back Kenny Topping stepping successfully into the scrum half position. Prop Davy McKeen picked up a fracture to his hand last Saturday that will rule him out for several weeks. On the plus side Ulster Junior props Jonny McIIwaine and Adam Gibney have returned to play with Adam Gibney moving to tight head. Ulster junior back row Ross Marsden has been ruled out for the season due to work commitments.

With the coaches encouraging the experienced Andy Kinkaid and Stuart Currie to continue playing, their experience has had a big impact on the Carrick pack along with the form of back row players Andy McKeen (captain) and Ryan McGonigle. Jake Porter and Jason Wady have went on to develop a formidable centre partnership with their defensive work.

Injuries always provide opportunities for other players to step up. One young player is full back Fion McCormick who has impressed the coaches after making his debut three weeks ago. He is described as being well grounded with good technical ability and a lovely footballer.

Coach Davy Scott describes his playing squad as a good bunch of players who are supported by a good club with hard working club officials.
To compete at the top end of Div 1 next season Carrick will need to add 5/6 players to their playing squad.

Carrick are looking forward to the game with Ballynahinch seconds on Saturday with the coaches expecting another close encounter.

Ballynahinch seconds are managed by club stalwart Ian Dornan who succumbed to putting the boots on for the seconds at hooker away to Ballymena seconds last Saturday. 15 minutes into the match Ian tore his Achilles that has now left him in plaster as he waits further medical treatment. Despite this setback Ian is very focused on making sure his players are well prepared by club coaches Derek Suffern and Chris Parker for their Towns Cup quarter final at Carrick this week. When he took on the role at the beginning of the season Ian sat down with the players and agreed their targets up to Xmas. Having successfully secured the Junior Cup and the Conference league one title. The second half of the season is all about winning the Towns Cup and 2nd xv league title.

The players are very much aware of the success this team has achieved in winning cups each season. They are a good bunch who want to win. They believe they can win any match such is their belief.

Ballynahinch are aware that Carrick have a pack that is very dominant in the set piece and will provide their young side with a real challenge.
The Hinch side is expected to be 1 – 17 Ben Cullen, Ben Pentland, Andrew Weir, Stuart Evans, Keith Dickson, Brian Howard, Graeme McKitterick, Jonny Murdock, Ryan Wilson, Chris Orr, Davy Harris, Callum McLaughlin, Aaron Ferris, Paddy Wright with replacements selected from Chris Quinn, Gareth Gill and Conor Phillips.

Injury rules out Andy Simpson, Will Stewart and Chris Gibson.

Bangor seconds v Clogher Valley

The seasiders are current holders of the Towns Cup ( 1st xv Winners 2015/16) with the club 2nd xv progressing to the last eight in their defence of the Cup. Bangor seconds play their rugby in Div 1 of the Ulster Rugby Provincial league with the team in 5th place.

Clogher Valley have a great tradition in the Towns Cup appearing in five of the last seven finals winning in 2011/2012 and 2014.

Bangor have defeated City of Derry seconds 40 -13 and Larne 12 -10 to progress to the quarter finals with Clogher Valley defeating Rainey OB seconds 20 – 5 in the 2nd round.

Bangor are looking to field as strong a team as they can to compete with Clogher’s strong cup tradition. The squad is expected to be along lines of 1 – 17. Evan Wellard – McMillan, Andrew Jackson, Ben Worthington/Charlie Clegg, Glenn Burton, James Stewart, Conor McIIImurray, David Bradford/James Ferguson, David Lynn, Shaun Fair, Keith Rosson (Captain), Neil Cuthbertson, Taylor Ferguson, Phil Broderick/Desi Fusco, Dave Charles and Adam McCusker. Matthew Baillie will join the front row option on the bench. Selection will be finalised on Thursday night.

Clogher coaches Glen Kyle and David Black are aware that their team has to address their indiscipline that has seen the team lose their last four league games. The team are now in a dog fight with Dromore and Cooke to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs.

For the game this week at Bangor Andy Breen comes into replace Neil Cullen on the wing, Neil Trotter returns to scrum half in place of Aaron Best with Mark McKenna joining his brother Eugene in the second row in place of Matty Robinson with the remainder of the side similar to the team that started against Ballyclare in their 21 – 5 home defeat last week. Can a Cup win at Bangor lift the team with three league games remaining.

Armagh seconds v Ballyclare

After playing their rugby in Div 1 of the Ulster Provincial league last season Armagh seconds have made considerable progress this season securing 3rd place in Div 2 of the Conference league. Two excellent wins over Limavady 46 – 8 and Omagh 24 – 13 see them in the last eight of the Towns Cup. Can they emulate Ballynahinch seconds and become a force in Junior rugby. Ballyclare won 25 – 21 at Portadown to make the quarter finals. They are undefeated in their last eight matches since Xmas. Ballyclare shared the Towns cup with City of Derry seconds in 2013 after drawing 28 – 28 after extra time. Armagh last won the Towns Cup in 2008 when their 1st xv defeated Portadown 49 – 6.

Ballyclare Head coach Mike McKeever and his players will push Omagh all the way for the Div 1 league title with three games remaining. Omagh have a five point advantage after defeating Ards last night. His team are guaranteed a top three finish and a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. He describes it as all very exciting as his team look forward to the end of the season. Their attitude is to take it one game at a time. The league can be set aside this week as his players concentrate on a hard Towns Cup match at Armagh. His team have beaten two All Ireland 2nd xv teams this season and will take confidence from those wins over Ballynahinch and Ballymena seconds.

The coach was impressed with his forwards at Clogher Valley last week. He had two 18 year olds in the front row who scrummaged superbly along with 20 year old Ross Johnston in the second row and Craig Smith who provided so much energy on the pitch. Out half Bobby Smith is controlling games with Captain Gary Weatherup leading the side very well this season. The coach has a few injury doubts this week and will not finalise his squad until Thursday night.

McCREA CUP QUARTER FINALS
CIYMS v Belfast Harlequins seconds
Grosvenor v Cooke
Malone seconds v Academy
Queens second Bye

CIYMS V Belfast Harlequins seconds

Head coach Gareth Fry is anticipating a few changes to his starting line up this week as he rotates his squad. He was really pleased with his teams 23 – 14 win against a very good Limavady team last week. Two points now separate CIYMS and Grosvenor in the chase to finish second in Div 2 with four matches remaining.

Grosvenor v Cooke

Can Grosvenor overcome current McCrea Cup holders Cooke at Gibson Park this week. The team are on a five match unbeaten run in 2017 as they pursue CIYMS for second place in Div 2.

Cooke Head coach Colin Atkinson will be looking forward to the break from league action after his side lost their last two league games. They are now embroiled in three way battle with Dromore and Clogher Valley to avoid finishing in 9th place and the playoffs in Div 1.

Malone seconds v Academy

Both these teams met in the Conference league at Gibson Park on the 31.12.16 when the home side won a high scoring encounter 55 – 36. Malone seconds carried their recent good form to Armagh last week when they won 41 – 36. Academy lost 41 – 7 at Coleraine last week after leading the home side 7 – 5 at half time. Spectators at Gibson Park on Sat have the benefit of two McCrea Cup matches being played this week.

Malone team 1 – 17 Ben Halliday, Connor Kelly, Ricky Greenwood, Tiernan Dillon, Peter Ireland, Max Porter, Darryl Maxwell, Richard Millar, Callum Jemphrey, Bruce Duff, Chris Rowan, David Irvine, Michael Barker, Jack McMurtry, Rory Campbell, Gary Crawford and Michael Browne.

Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn was delighted with his teams performance in the 1st half at Coleraine last week, but felt his team were always going to be up against it in the second half with the number of players they have on the injured and unavailable list. He could not fault the commitment on Saturday and the players who stepped up all put in a good shift. Coleraine are an excellent side and with the depth they have in their squad it was always going to be very difficult game for his players to get a result. His playing squad are in a similar position this week for the match at Malone with players unavailable and injured. Both Richard Henderson and Lee Moody are available again and the coach is hopeful that Jordan Buchanan and Stephen Fawcett will recover from injury in time to play.

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2

Coleraine v UUC
Head coach Richard Boyd was pleased with the result against Academy last week but was disappointed with the teams first half display. The coach had made a number of changes due to injury with the team taking a while to get into the flow of the game. He felt the players made too many handling errors and need to find the balance of playing with tempo and having control over the next few weeks. Academy worked hard and showed good spirit, but his Coleraine team showed excellent character and composure to dominate the game in the second half.

His squad are looking forward to the local derby against UUC this weekend with the players expecting a tougher challenge after defeating the students 93 – 7 on the 3.9.16. The team are focused on getting a win and taking the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table with four games to go.

In terms of selection the pack is at full strength with Michael Ferguson returning to action in the second row and Peter Wisener earning a starting place after an impressive debut last week from the bench. In the backs the team is boosted by the return of club captain Mikey Poskitt in the centre with young Daniel McCreadie providing cover for the backline after a solid senior debut against Academy. Bokkie Carstens and Niall Irwin remain unavailable due to injury.

UUC Director of Rugby Brett Campbell was disappointed by his teams 50 – 22 home defeat against Randalstown last week. The team played into a strong wind in the first quarter restricting Randalstown to 7 points as well as scoring a good try themselves. The students would have taken the lead only for full back Stuart Ballantine to lose control of the ball and knock on with the line at his mercy. Randalstown then went on to score four tries without reply before half time and another try at the start of the second half to end the game as a contest. Credit to the students side they went on to score three tries and secure a bonus point, but had left themselves too much to do. It was also pleasing to see two former UUC players Kyle Hetherington and Scott Stevenson playing so well for Randalstown.

UUC would like to thank Coleraine for bringing forward their game from the 1st April so the students could play in the Irish Universities Rugby Union tournament. The students are aware they face a big test at Coleraine this weekend. Their intention is to give them a competitive fixture as they close in on winning the league. Selection the students have lost Captain and prop Marty O’Neill for the rest of the season with several players attending the Ireland v France match in Dublin. It will give the opportunity for several players from the seconds to get some game time on the 1stxv with prop Jonny Harding coming in with Calvin Galbraith getting an opportunity in the second row. A Jamieson returns to the back row with the backline unchanged from last week.

George