Ulster Bank League Playoff Previews

26 Apr 2018 by City of Armagh Rugby Club

This Saturday 28th April is set to be a thrilling day for local club rugby, with no less than five Ulster clubs involved in winner-take-all ties in the Ulster Bank League playoffs.

Ulster Bank League Div 1B Promotion Playoff Final Banbridge v U.C.C. at Rifle Park (2.30pm)

Banbridge are aiming to secure the return of an Ulster side to the top flight of Irish club rugby, as they host U.C.C. on Saturday afternoon. Bann dramatically came from behind to beat County Down neighbours Ballynahinch 28-24 in last week’s semi-final, also at Rifle Park. Hinch led 14-0 thanks to early tries from Richard Reaney and David Busby, before Banbridge’s first penalty try saw them start to come back into the game. Reaney added another try for Ballynahinch, but Conor Field crossed for Banbridge just before the break to reduce the deficit to 19-12. When Aaron Cairns grabbed Hinch’s fourth try to make it 24-12, it looked like Brian McLaughlin’s squad would take the victory. However, three penalties from Ulster Academy centre James Hume and a late penalty try, awarded for a collapsed maul, saw Daniel Soper’s men prevail. Previous meetings this season: Saturday 23rd September: Banbridge 31 U.C.C 31 Saturday 7th April: U.C.C 32 Banbridge 31 Final league standings: Banbridge: 2nd in Div 1B (62 points) U.C.C.: 4th in Div 1B (53 points) Ulster Bank League Div 2A Promotion Playoff Final
City of Armagh v Nenagh Ormond at Palace Grounds (2.30pm)

City of Armagh will be hoping to follow Ulster side Malone, who have already secured promotion by winning Division 2A, into Division 1B next season. The Armagh men booked their place in Saturday’s decider with an impressive 27-13 win away in Highfield last week. Andrew Willis and Tim McNiece both touched down in the opening half to put the visitors into a commanding 18-6 lead at the interval. Fly-half Cormac Fox slotted three second half penalties, in addition to the one conversion and two penalties from the first half, to seal the win for Armagh. Previous meetings this season: Saturday 28th October: City of Armagh 32 Nenagh Ormond 38 Saturday 17th February: Nenagh Ormond 26 City of Armagh 39 Final league standings: City of Armagh: 3rd in Div 2A (49 points) Nenagh Ormond: 4th in Div 2A (49 points) Ulster Bank League Div 2B Promotion Playoff Final
Rainey OB v Navan RFC at Hatrick Park (2.30pm)

Rainey Old Boys will also have home advantage for their playoff final versus Navan on Saturday, following a storming second half display which saw off MU Barnhall last week. The Magherafelt side held a slender 12-11 half-time lead thanks to tries from Scott McLean and Oisin Quinn, with Andrew Magrath adding one conversion. A second half try, along with two penalties and a drop-goal from Magrath, while restricting the visitors to just a penalty, was enough to secure the win. Previous meetings this season: Saturday 23rd September: Navan RFC 13 Rainey OB 20 Saturday 7th April: Rainey OB 6 Navan RFC 15 Final league standings: Rainey OB: 2nd in Div 2B (62 points) Navan: 4th in Div 2B (53 points) Ulster Bank League Div 2B/C Promotion/Relegation Playoff
Belfast Harlequins v Omagh at Deramore Park (2.30pm)

Belfast Harlequins and Omagh will meet at Deramore Park in an all-Ulster derby, as Omagh aim to secure promotion to 2B in their first season back in the All Ireland League, while Quins need to win to avoid a drop into 2C. Last weekend, Quins racked up a fourth consecutive win as they defeated Malahide 19-13 at home. Tries from David Devine and Toby Mannus, plus a penalty try and a Mark Griben conversion, along with some resolute defending from the home team, kept their relegation battle alive for at least one more week. After a tense opening half at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, which saw Omagh lead 12-10, coach Phil Marshall’s side powered on to set up their game at Quins by beating Thomond 34-13. Adam Longwell and James Catterson’s first half tries were added to by a brace of scores from Ryan Mitchell as well as single tries from Kyle Alexander and Ali Beckett. Final league standings: Belfast Harlequins: 9th in Div 2B (26 points) Omagh: 2nd in Div 2C (51 points) Ulster Bank League Round Robin Qualifying
Bandon v Instonians at Bandon (1.30pm)

Meanwhile, in the round robin qualifying series, following a hard fought 24-24 draw away to Ashbourne in the opening round of games, Instonians’ hopeful return to the Ulster Bank League took a massive blow last Saturday as they lost 41-18 at home to Ballina. With another away trip to Bandon this Saturday, Instonians need a bonus point win, plus they are also relying on Ballina winning at Ashbourne in order to finish second in the round-robin table and stay in with a chance of making the Ulster Bank League through a playoff with Bruff.

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