Email This Article To Someone!Ulster Bank League
As we roll into the last weekend in August, most years we have been looking at league tables to see who is going to win what and who may be relegated. In this terrible rain effected 2008 season the website shows that a massive 748 games are still to be played. Keeping in mind that an average Saturday hosts about 50 NCU league games at most, we have 10 Saturday and Sunday’s left in the season – it looks like leagues will be won and lost on who can get most matches played.
CIYMS and Derriaghy play a vital game for both clubs, CI have given up home advantage to attempt to get valuable points on the board. A win for Derriaghy just opens a small gap between them. They play; weather permitting, at Queensway on Saturday.
In the Section 2 relegation fight Dundrum amazingly have no game this weekend at all after calling their game off against Holywood and not taking the offer of a ground swap. An interesting call as those around them all play each other – Armagh host Downpatrick, then on Sunday Holywood travel to Downpatrick. Two wins this weekend for Woodvale will see them return to Premier League with Ballymena next season.
Section 3 and Larne could do with beating Dunmurry to keep alive their hope of promotion. Academy & Cooke Collegians were due to play twice this weekend – but Saturdays game is off already. A defeat for either could see them out of the promotion race. Templepatrick need to win both against Millpark and Dungannon if they want to gain promotion – but those two also need to win to help avoid relegation.
In Section 4 it looks like only 1 game is due to be played. Portadown have played the most and have 7 wins in 8. The other promotion place is between Drumaness, Ards and Donaghadee.
Division Two
Waringstown sit top of the section 1 league with 9 wins and 4 defeats – surprisingly only 1 less than 8th placed CIYMS. 7 wins for Woodvale, North Down and Lurgan see them all hoping to catch Waringstown for the title. The bottom 3 currently is CIYMS with 4 wins and Lisburn with 3, both from 9 played. Instonians look set for the drop with 2 wins in 11 games.
The section 2 league is just a muddled up as the rest. CSNI are top with 9 wins and a tie from 13 and Carrick are in second place with 1 less win from the same games. Muckamore may have a chance to take 2nd place with only 9 played, but 5 wins. Cliftonville and Holywood look like they may be out of both promotion and relegation with 5 wins each from 10. Armagh are in danger, but they have only played 7 games and with only 3 defeats, they could push the top half. Laurelvale look set to fall with only 1 win, but only 7 played. Cooke Collegians with 3 wins in 8 are currently in relegation place. In reality, any of the 5 above could be drawn in.
Cregagh look good to take promotion at least with 7 wins and only 1 defeat. However, if Saintfield get games played they could snatch the title as they have won all of their games….all 5 of them!
Division 3
It looks like Ballymena, 8 from 8 and Bangor, 8 from 9 will be fighting it out for the section 1 crown. Armagh have lost all 7 games and look set for relegation. Derriaghy and Woodvale look the most likely to join them, both have 1 win each. Woodvale have a tie that keeps them above Derriaghy.
In section 2 Waringstown III’s look to take at least promotion and probably the league title too. The 2nd place is really up for anyone – Bangor IV currently sit in it, but other can pass. CSNI have only lost 2…but only played 4. That means they are also in a relegation battle too with Cooke Collegians and Muckamore who also have 2 wins each.
Armagh IV sit top of section 3 with 2 wins more than Waringstown IV and Larne III. The bottom 2 have identical record at the moment with 6 defeats from 6 for Larne IV and North Down IV and both look like they will get relegated.
Section 4 looks even tighter, Laurelvale III are looking for a league and cup double with being unbeaten in the league too. Lisburn IV sit in the 2nd promotion place but could be overtaken by any of 3 below them.
Section 5 has a good battle for the league title. Ards sit on top with only 1 defeat in 13 games and means, I think, they have completed their league campaign and are promoted at least. CIYMS need to play and win their last 3 games to take back to back league titles.