Belfast Harlequins RFC

BELFAST HARLEQUINS (4th) v BALLYNAHINCH (1st), Deramore Park

Ulster Bank League Season's Form - Belfast Harlequins: WLWLWWLWW; Ballynahinch: WWWWLWLDW

Ulster Bank League Top Scorers - Belfast Harlequins: Points: Michael Heaney 62; Tries: Neil McComb 4; Ballynahinch: Points: James Lash 67; Tries: James Thompson 5

It's either a rock or a hard place for the players involved in today's match, when the country comes to town.

A difficult match for Ballynahinch as they attempt to hold on to top spot in what has become a really tight battle at the top of the table.

Only four points separate the top five teams. And four of those are from Ulster, with Buccaneers, in third spot, the exception.

Clearly, this is going to be another keenly-fought encounter. Fourth-placed Belfast Harlequins, having secured a bonus point in an impressive 39-22 away success over UCD, represent a definite threat to the leaders.

Both sides will be at near full strength with Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Michael Allen, Niall Annett, Ian Porter and Stuart Olding all returning from Ulster to the Quins stable. Hinch will have the services of Jerry Cronin, Willie Faloon and Ian Whitten.

It promises to be a cracking afternoon of club rugby, so lets hope it lives up to the heading.

Recent League Meetings - Saturday, February 19, 2011: Ballynahinch 18 Belfast Harlequins 15, Ballymacarn Park; Saturday, October 8, 2011: Ballynahinch 27 Belfast Harlequins 16, Ballymacarn Park



Teams:

Belfast Harlequins
15. Rory Scholes
14. Miles O’Hagan
13. Michael Allen
12. Mark Kettyle
11. Matthew Holmes

10. Stuart Olding
9. Ian Porter

1. Richard Lutton
2. Niall Annett
3. Adam Macklin
4. Gareth Rourke (C)
5. Michael Ferguson
6. Alistair Heatlie
7. Lawrene Babe
8. Neil McComb

Replacements:
16. Mark McGrath
17. Neil Montgomery
18. Scot Annett
19. Paul Rea
20. David Creighton

Ballynahinch
15. David Nicholson
14. Ian Whitten
13. Stuart Morrow
12. James Thompson
11. Aaron Ferris

10. James Lash
9. Harry McAleece

1. Johnny Simpson
2. Neil Hanna (C)
3. Jerry Cronin
4. Chris Napier
5. James Simpson
6. John Madden
7. Willie Faloon
8. Johnny Graham

Replacements:
16. Gavin Armstrong
17. Fergal Lynch
18. John Donnan
19. Aaron Cairns
20. Robin Harte


Ref: E. Hogan-O’Connell