Bective face tough test against Greystones

FOUR of the five leading teams in the AIL second division travel away from home this weekend in the quest for promotion while Bective Rangers - the leaders on points difference - are hosts to Greystones at Donnybrook.

With the recent resignation of Noel McQuilkin from Greystones, there is an extra edge to this fixture. McQuilkin had been contracted to coach Bective for the four years preceding his move to Greystones. Bective's new helmsman, Harry Williams, has spread the gospel of expansive rugby through the Rangers ranks and they have duly prospered.

For Saturday, however, blindside flanker Trevor Brennan (shoulder injury), Vinny Cunningham (thigh problem), Tony Gillen (back) and captain Kevin Murphy (dose of the flu) are all doubtful.

Greystones have taken the brave gamble of leaving their captain and hooker John "Spud" Murphy - just recovered from a back injury - on the bench. Conor O'Sullivan retains his position at hooker after an impressive performance last time out against Sunday's Well. One would have to wonder would the same selection have been made in the pre-tactical. substitution days. Either way, Greystones must come away with a result from Donnybrook. This one should be a cracker.

The importance of this game is further highlighted by the fact that Clontarf and Skerries - the two clubs sharing ownership of the lead with Bective - are travelling to two of the relegation prospects, DLSP and NIFC, respectively.

Judging from DLSP's encouraging forward display, especially from flanker Declan O'Brien and number eight Phil Werahiko against Wanderers, Clontarf's challenge may be undermined at Kilternan.

Wanderers and Dolphin - each one point behind Clontarf and Skerries - cannot afford the slightest slip. With Mark. O'Driscoll unavailable, Kelvin Leahy has been switched to the middle of the Wanderers back row, and the versatile Jonathan Garth has been ushered in from the cold to fill the blindside berth for their journey north to Judges Road. Dolphin, meanwhile, will probably be able to field a full-strength side.

In Division Three, Galwegians are worried about fullback George Wright and forwards John Casserly and Manus Higgins for the visit of Bohemians.

Their partners at the head of affairs, Buccaneers, are not without their headaches either. Weekend flu victims Gareth Johnson and Noel Mannion are expected to recover, while flankers John Moylan and Eoin Brennan are also on the injured list for their mission at UCD. The students will contain four members of the St Mary's 1994 Leinster Schools' Cup-winnings team - Richard Ormonde, Simon Doggett, Joe Shine and Gordon Cantwell - seven days after former teammate Den is Hickie made his international debut.