The Bank Holiday weekend did not disappoint with sunshine welcoming in the new season. In the SONI Premiership Div 1 there were wins for Banbridge, Ballymena and Ballynahinch with Malone and Rainey OB recording wins in Div 2. The opening matches in Kukri Rugby Championship Div 1 there were wins for Enniskillen, Instonians, Omagh and Portadown. In Div 2 Academy, CIYMS and Randalstown were the winners.

The 1st round matches take place in the First Trust Senior Cup this weekend with holders Ballynahinch receiving a bye and beaten finalists Ballymena playing Armagh at Eaton Park. Rainey OB will be looking to complete back to back wins over Queens Uni after defeating the students 31 - 17 last weekend. Both Belfast Harlequins and City of Derry will look to bounce back from opening day defeats to Malone and Ballymena.

In the Kukri Rugby Championship Div 1 title favourites Instonians face a difficult trip to Hamilton Park to play a much improved Ards team. Two of the teams expected to challenge Instonians - Ballyclare and Omagh meet at the Cloughan. Newly promoted Carrickfergus open their league programme at the Tom Simms Memorial grounds against Clogher Valley with opening weekend winners Enniskillen and Portadown clashing at Mullaghmeen.

In Div 2 CIYMS raised a few eyebrows at Blaris with their thumping 74 - 0 win over Lisburn. They travel to Roughfort to play an Academy side who were deserving 23 - 18 winners at newly promoted Limavady. Both Grosvenor and Larne meet at Gibson Park with the North coast derby between promoted UUC and title favourites Coleraine taking place at the Riverside venue.

FIRST TRUST SENIOR CUP

Ballymena v Armagh

Interesting duel between two teams who met at the Palace grounds two weeks ago with the Orchard County side running out comfortable 31 - 17 winners. Brian McLaughlin's team then suffered a surprising 39 -17 defeat at home to Banbridge in their opening SONI league match. What displeased the coach was despite his Armagh side controlling 80% of the possession and territory during the game, basic handling errors contributed to their defeat by handing possession to a Banbridge side who went on to score five tries. Armagh are expected to be at full strength for their trip to Eaton Park.

Ballymena Head coach Andy Graham is looking to build strength in depth within his 1st xv squad with the first matches in the All Ireland league due to kick off on the 17th September. He views the games in the SONI league and the First Trust Senior Cup as essential game time to build momentum within his playing squad. Despite missing his Ulster contingent the coach is confident he can put out a team that will be competitive this weekend. Injuries continue to rule out Aidy Hamilton, Richie McMaster, Jonny Rossborough, Matthew Harkness and James Beattie with Rodger McBurney facing a late fitness test after a stomach complaint. Paddy James, Callum Patterson, Paddy McGowan, Ian Vance, James and Dominic Gallagher all remain unavailable. Team will include 1 - 15 Aidy Kirkpatrick, James Taggart, Chris Cundell, David Whann, Chris Smyth, Joe Thompson, Willy McKay, Mark Foster, John Creighton, Glen Baillie, Josh McIIroy, Marty Irwin, Alan Smyth, Jordan Foster and either Rodger McBurney/Matthew Norris. Replacements will include Andrew Ferguson, Chris Allen, Tony McGuinness, Nicholas Stirling and either Dean Reynolds/Matthew Norris.

Belfast Harlequins v City of Derry

The new coaching team of Andrew Gillespie, Keith Pyper and Davy Armstrong will want to see an improvement in the performance of their Quins team after losing 29 -5 at Malone last weekend. Keith Pyper summed it up by stating the Malone game didn't go as expected in the first half. With a number of the forwards missing, preparation was less than ideal. The Malone pack seemed very organised and this was exactly the challenge his players needed. He felt the second half performance was much improved . The coaches will not read to much into the Malone game as it was all about trying different combinations out. The coaches and players have worked hard this week on improving the areas they fell behind in last week and have made a number of changes with Ken McKenzie and Matthew Fisher taking their places in the pack. Both Roger Kirkwood and Phil McVitty return to the backs.

The scoreline in the City of Derry match against Ballymena would indicate it was one sided. This was far from the case with the North West side putting in a very strong first half performance. It was only in the second half that Ballymena moved the ball wide after meeting the physical challenge of a very strong City of Derry pack before running out comfortable winners. Indications are that City of Derry will confirm the appointment of a New Head coach. Despite the loss of several players there is talent within the City of Derry team to win this match at Deramore Park.

Queens Uni v Rainey OB

Students Head coach Bob Young has had to dig deep to select a competitive squad for these back to back games with Rainey. Last Saturday the students were beaten 31 - 17 at the Dub by the Magherfelt side.

Rainey Head coach John Andrew's has made ten changes to the squad that travelled to Belfast. In come Stephen Rutledge, Aiden McSwiggan, Kieran Donaghy, Andrew Harbinson, Darren Corrigan, Chris Ladlier, , Micharl Barr, Damien McMurray, Matthew McClelland and Declan O'Brien.

Injuries rule out Jonny Lees (Captain), Rory Winters ( Recovering from cruicate surgery) and Luke Steele. Scrum half Michael Wilson has returned to training after picking up an injury in the pre season friendly with Clogher Valley. Scott McLean, Jonny Burgess and Timothy Barker are unavailable this weekend. The Magherfelt side are looking forward to the return of Western Province hooker George Fritz next week in time for the start of the All Ireland League. The South African scored 15 tries during his season at the club three years ago.

Ballymena v Armagh

Belfast Harlequins v City of Derry
Queens Uni v Rainey OB

Bye Malone, Bangor, Dungannon, Ballynahinch and Banbridge

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 1

Ards v Instonians

Head coach Davy Irwin is confident he has the strength in depth within his playing squad to target a top four finish this season. The fitness levels of the squad have improved after a hard summer on the training paddock. Several new faces have been added to the playing squad including Chris Hamilton, Steven Adams, Adam Warnock, Chris Scott, Robbie Williamson Tom Arthur Donnan and Danny McCullough. Younger players including Paddy Bond, Gareth McBurney, Ross Torney, Danny Patton, Adam McKee and Nathan Graham have benefited from a season in Div 1. Mark Banford has retained the Captaincy and along with Vice Captain Andrew Foster and the experienced Paul Cox and Trevor Devlin the team can be competitive this season. Both Scott Young and John West have joined the Ards coaching team. Other players who will come into contention for a starting place include Conrad Stewart, Jonny Wylie, Oisin Burekama and Colin and Chris McClure.

Instonians Director of Rugby William Leacock will not be complacent about this fixture with Ards as his team had to dig deep to win this fixture at Hamilton park last season. Along with Head coach Mark McDowell the coaches were pleased to win a hard fought opening league game at Shawsbridge against Ballyclare last Sat 17 - 5. He described the first game of the season as a tough physical encounter against a good Ballyclare team with both teams playing some very good rugby in the first half. His team led 17 - 0 after 26 minutes and despite creating few opportunities they could not score the third try. The second half wasa real battle with both teams tiring as the game became scrappy.

For the trip to Ards Inst have a few players who will face late fitness tests. Concussion rules out second row Harry Clelland and he joins Jordan McMullan and Ally Andress on the injured list. Conor Gallagher will start at hooker.

Ballyclare v Omagh

Two teams who are expected to finish in the top four this season. Ballyclare will be looking to home advantage to gain their first win and points of the season. Head coach Mike McKeever has assembled a strong playing squad at the Cloughan. His players could not have faced two more difficult opening games than back to back games with Instonians and Omagh.

Omagh swept aside Cooke 41 - 0 at home last Saturday scoring seven tries in the process. Their dynamic threequarters of Ali Beckett, Neil Brown and Ryan Mitchell scored four of the tries. Head coach Phil Marshall was very pleased with the result. Fullback Ali Beckett is unavailable this week and is replaced by Scott Elliott with Gary Sherrard continuing at hooker. He acknowledges Ballyclare will be a big test for his young side.

Carrickfergus v Clogher Valley

Newly promoted Carrick have the experienced Davy Scott and Mickey Rainey incharge of the coaching at Carrick this season. Having won the Randalstown tournament the team lost 25 - 13 away to Ballynahinch seconds after leading 12 - 3 at HT last Sat.

Clogher Valley are a team in transition with several new players introduced into the playing squad last season. Coaches Glen Kyle and Davy Black have plenty of experienced players at their disposal with a solid front five led by hooker Kyle Cobane. Their powerful number 8 Ryan Wilson returns to a pack that will cause the Carrick forwards problems in the set piece.

Enniskillen v Portadown

This will be a fixture the faithful at Mullaghmeen will be looking forward to. With a strong Fermanagh connection within the playing squad at Chambers Park. Players including Gareth McCoy and Gary Hall will rub shoulders with former player James Carleton who returned to Enniskillen this season. Both teams won their opening games last weekend. Enniskillen defeating Clogher Valley 15 - 3 and Portadown defeating Dromore 25 - 7.

Portadown Head coach Richard Hedley will want his team to build on their top four finish last season. The return to playing of the experienced Craig Woods was crucial in the teams performance against Dromore. As well as scoring a try he played a pivotal role in securing the bonus point from scoring four tries in their win.

Ards v Instonians

Ballyclare v Omagh

Carrickfergus v Clogher Valley

Enniskillen v Portadown

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP/CONFERENCE DIV 1

Cooke v Ballynahinch seconds

Dromore v Ballymena seconds

KUKRI ULSTER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIV 2

Academy v CIYMS

Fascinating fixture at Roughfort this weekend. On paper you would say there is only one winner with CIYMS scoring eleven tries in their 74 - 0 win over Lisburn. Head coach Gareth Fry has fought hard to retain his talented playing squad from last season. Early season wins over Dundalk and Lisburn have demonstrated what many believe that CIYMS should be one of the top four teams in Junior rugby in Ulster. Two seasons ago CIYMS narrowly missed out on making the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Can this team bounce straight back. The addition of former Ulster out half James McKinney has had a big impact on the squad. Fitness was a problem with the playing squad and this has been addressed during the summer months. Experienced forwards including Simon Baillie, Gavin Woods, Chris Davidson, Paddy Aiken, Ross Hackney, Scott Dowle and Captain Mark McConkey along with backs Andy Hodgin, Peter Raine and Will Herron have provided the backbone to this playing squad. A number of young players including Tim Acheson, Alan Whitely, Josh Lyle, , Cameron Stewart, Casi Yandall, Nathan Burns, Jeremy McKeown, Jason Harvey, Harry and Jack Howard have added strength and depth to the squad.

Academy Head coach Gareth Lynn was delighted with his teams 23 - 18 win at Limavady with Out half Chris Cooper scoring 18 points. Despite losing both his Ulster Junior props Chris Nash and James Blair who are now playing at Coleraine. Academy are now looking to two of their young props Adam Martin and Troy Wilson to replace them. One plus for the coach has been the return of the abrasive number 8 Stuart Martin after playing at Queens last season. The Academy squad for this weekend is expected to include 1 - 15 Adam martin, Peter Jackson, Troy Wilson, Richard Henderson, Clark Cooper, Matt Corkey, Kyle Dobbin, Stuart martin, David kenny, Chris Cooper, Michael Wilson, Stepehen Fawcett, Tate Hart, Dave McCullough and Simon Baillie. Other players who will come into consideration for selection include Lee Moody, Stephen Biggar, Graham Dobbin, Keith Dobbin, Stuart Henderson,Jordan Buchanan, Jamie Loughlin and Ben Cave

Grosvenor v Larne

New Head coach Robert Ford is delighted with the response of his Grosvenor players during pre season. He is looking forward to their first league game against Larne on the the refurbished playing surface at Gibson Park. The nucleus of the 1st xv Squad has been retained from last season. The coach is aware that Saturday's game will be the first real test for his players after warm up matches against Queens and Quins seconds. He is expecting a physical encounter against Larne and is looking to see his team get their season off to a winning start.

Larne Head coach Lawrence Kelly was pleased with his teams 25 - 15 win over Armagh seconds last Sat. There is plenty of talent in this squad who achieved a mid table finish after being promoted in 2014/15 season. Number 8 Eddie Hunter has been appointed club Captain. Scrum half Ryan Garrett is one of the most experienced scrum halves in junior rugby in Ulster. At one stage last season Larne led Q 2 . Can they repeat their performance. Grosvenor finished last season strongly after a difficult start to their season. No doubt both teams will be going all out for a win. Should be a thrilling game.

UUC v Coleraine.

Today I got talking to the Students Director of Rugby Brett Campbell. They have retained ten of the playing squad that secured promotion last season. In Head coach Jonny Black they have a highly motivated and knowlegable coach who has transformed the fortunes of student rugby at the Riverside as he enters his second season incharge. He is described as diligent and hard working in implementing structures that have raised the profile of rugby within the University. Hooker Martin O'Neill has been appointed Captain with Stephen McCleery as Vice Captain. Stand out players include backrow Ollie Millar former Campbell College player, Outhalf Tom Kavanagh who is from NZ. and centre James Perry. The University has 40 active players and are encouraging more of their students to play rugby at the University. As Brett told me , many parents are unaware that they have a rugby team at the University in Coleraine.

The students have great respect for their neighbours Coleraine rugby club and their Head coach Richard Boyd. They feel they are three weeks away from being ready for the start of the rugby season until the freshers start coming in.

Coleraine 1st xv warmed up for their first league game with a convincing 65 - 10 win over Banbridge seconds last Sat. Head coach Richard Boyd was pleased by their performance against Banbridge. He is expecting a tougher test this weekend against the students. The coach adds Josh Christie, Stephen Dickey and Rodger Bonnar to his squad for this weekend.

Academy v CIYMS

Grosvenor v Larne

UUC v Coleraine

KUKRI ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP/CONFERENCE DIV 2

Armagh seconds v Randalstown

Banbridge seconds v Limavady

Lisburn v Belfast Harlequins seconds

Malone seconds v Donaghadee

FRIENDLY

Banbridge v Dundalk