The week of the rematch in the Shamrock Bowl Conference is matched with an intriguing match up in the IAFL-1. Last week the 26-6 victory for the Belfast Trojans over the Dublin Rebels gave the former a tight grip on the SBC North. Meanwhile at the opposite end of the division the Cowboys and Rhinos are looking to grab a win in an otherwise sparse season in a tough league.
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| The Belfast Trojans are sweeping aside opposing teams in convincing fashion, are they set for another Bowl? - photo by Nathan James Sharrocks |
West
Dublin Rhinos vs. Craigavon Cowboys
The
Cowboys head south to Dublin to take on the West Dublin Rhinos who have
somewhat found their feet since the first time these teams met. That result
went in favour of the Cowboys, 23-0, on a poor pitch. The Cowboys have been on
back-to-back hidings from Belfast and the Dublin Rebels and lost number one
quarterback Peter Loughran to broken fingers. His return to fitness could be
key to a late season revival, after he’d had a very productive start to the year.
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| The Rhinos (left) and Cowboys (right) will battle it out to get off the bottom of the division - photo by Ariane Boudias |
The
Rhinos have since beat the Rebels 7-6, but then lost 14-7 to the Carrickfergus
Knights. But they seemed to have stepped up to the Rhinos of the last couple of
years that are hard to put points on and that grind out low scoring games.
This
will be a battle of a match-up and home advantage could tell. However it is
wide open at this point.
Belfast
Trojans vs. Dublin Rebels
The
reverse fixture of last week’s 26-6 victory for the Belfast Trojans sees the
Rebels head North.
The
Trojans came out comfortable winners in the end after the Rebels had held their
dynamic offence until the second half. James Mckelvey and David Richardson
teamed up for a pair of scores whilst Mckelvey scored two on the ground
himself, taking him to ten touchdowns overall.
The
top of the table Trojans are not naïve enough to take games for granted in a
tough division but they will no doubt have their eyes on the playoffs and
beyond.
The
Rebels will be looking for some revenge for last week’s loss whilst also
looking to consolidate second place in the division ahead of the Knights. They
will look to their defence and strong running game, Simon Mackey has scored 10
touchdowns along the ground this year to lead all running backs, to knock off
the Trojans but it will be a hard task.
IAFL-1
Dublin
Dragons vs. North Kildare Reapers
The
extended schedule of the IAFL-1 means it is rare to see a team play in two
consecutive weeks but the Dragons will take to the field this Sunday after
their narrow 15-12 defeat to the Tullamore Phoenix last week.
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| The experienced Dublin Dragons (left) take on the Reapers this Sunday - photo by Ariane Boudias |
Both
teams are at 1-1, looking to hunt down the 2-0 Waterford Wolves at the top of
the division. The Reapers have outscored the Dragons, putting up 10 points per
game to the Dragons’ 7, but they have also conceded more per game.
Could
this be the shootout the IAFL-1 is waiting for?
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