Seeking 10 in a row

It’s back to All Ireland League (AIL) action this weekend for City of Derry as they face Bective Rangers in Division 2A (KO2pm).

Bevan Lynch’s team travel to Donnybrook in Dublin for this mid-table clash looking to make it ten wins in a row.

City sit in eighth position and are only two points off the all important promotion spot. The Judges Road outfit have an outside chance of making promotion but head coach Lynch admitted that promotion is out of the club’s hands. The New Zealander told the Sentinel; “We are looking forward to getting back into action against Bective. We have had a week’s rest and it has helped a lot of the squad to get fit and prepare for the last three games of the season.”

There are only three AIL games left and all three will prove difficult to win. After Bective comes their last home game against third placed Malone. Their last game is away to Queens University who sit in fourth place. It really is a fight for promotion with only two points separating these three clubs. Winning the game and getting a bonus point could make the difference.

Speaking about the possibility of gaining promotion Lynch has not completely ruled it out. He said: “We will just concentrate on finishing the season without losing. We are on a winning run and we want that to continue. Yes mathematically we can still gain promotion but we must win our last three games, gain bonus points for ourselves and hope for that bit of luck.”

He continued: “It’s out of our hands but we have to keep ourselves in there with a chance and it is still all to play for.”

Bective Rangers sit only one point behind City of Derry and will prove a tough obstacle to overcome at their home venue. They are also still in the hunt for promotion and Lynch views this weekend’s hosts as very difficult opponents.

Looking ahead to the game Lynch said: “Bective have an easier run in after us. I was surprised that they were beat in their last game. They have a big forward pack and are solid. They will probably look to slow our ball down. There maybe two contrasting styles this weekend but Donnybrook has a good track for playing rugby on and that should suit our style.”

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