Friday 10 October 2014

CARL FIELD'S WEEKEND PREDICTIONS

CARL FIELD previews the weekend’s action as the British & Irish Cup gets going, while there is one Principality Premiership fixture.


PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

Cardiff v Newport

With both these sides failing to make it to the B&I Cup group stages, the two face off in a league clash at the Arms Park.

Cardiff lost to Cross Keys on their last outing here – having won their first two games with a bonus-point – but bounced back with victory at Llandovery last weekend.

Newport, who have lost three from four so far, are currently ravaged by injury and unavailability and could be in for a difficult afternoon tomorrow.

Prediction: Cardiff by 15 points

BRITISH & IRISH CUP

Pool 1 – Pontypridd v London Scottish

After last year’s gut-wrenching exit to eventual winners Leinster A at the semi-final stage, Pontypridd will have targeted this competition as a priority.

There was only one score in it on both occasions these two sides clashed at the same stage last season and the visitors have a score of their own to settle, having missed out on qualification to Ponty on points difference.

Prediction: London Scottish by 3 points


Pool 2 – Aberavon v Ulster A

Aberavon have their work cut out if they are to qualify from their group which also includes English Championship sides Rotherham and Yorkshire Carnegie.

Ulster reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2010 and, although I don’t think they’ll qualify from the group, can see them heading home with the spoils this weekend.

Prediction: Ulster A by 7 points

Pool 4 – Cross Keys v Doncaster

Pandy Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground so far this season for Cross Keys – losing both Principality Premiership home games on their own patch.

Doncaster are back in the competition after gaining promotion back to the English Championship and have won three of their five games so far – including two wins on the road.

Prediction: Doncaster by 7 points


Pool 5 – Jersey v Carmarthen Quins

Jersey have had an indifferent start in the English Championship, winning one and losing three of their first five games and are yet to win at home – although league form tends to go out of the window in cup competitions.

Conversely, Quins have made an excellent start to their league season and will need to get their B&I Cup campaign off to a flyer – in a group that also includes holders Leinster A – if they harbour any realistic hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Prediction: Carmarthen Quins by 3 points


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