PREVIEW McCrea Cup Saturday 4th of January 2014 by George Millar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Saturday we see the first round games in this years McCea Cup for the Belfast clubs. All clubs will be pushing to contest the final at Ravenhill on Wednesday the 23rd April 2014. This competition is the equivalent of the Towns Cup that is organised for the rural clubs. Current holders are CIYMS who defeated Cooke 20 -12 in last season’s final at Ravenhill. In the first round there are two matches down for decision with the following clubs receiving a bye Malone seconds, Grosvenor, Queens seconds, CIYMS, Civil Service and Instonians seconds.
Academy v Cooke
For last season’s finalists Cooke this fixture will find them playing an inform Academy side at their home venue of Roughfort in North Belfast. The game is sure to attract a large crowd with two talented sides looking to pursue the challenge of securing a piece of prestigious silverware for their season’s efforts. Academy Captain Richard Press has the experience in his team with players such as Richard Henderson, Chris McCarey, Norman Carson and Chris Nash to call upon. The addition of ex Queens scrum half Dave Kenny to their half backs has been crucial with his kicking options proving decisive in several recent games. Their coaching team of Gareth Lynn and Davy Haslett will be looking to start the new year with a win to build on their strong league showing. Cooke player/coach Colin Atkinson has had to endure a difficult season with the movement of players in and out at Shawsbridge. Their league form has been inconsistent for a club who expect to be in the hunt for the league title each season. After recording impressive wins over Ballymena seconds and Coleraine before Xmas they ended up losing a keenly contested league game at Dromore last Saturday 17 – 8. The return of Philip Cartmell after a lengthy injury has boosted the back division that had lost the talented Gourlay brothers to injury. With the exciting Charlie Burrows holding down the nine shirt the battle between the two nines could decide the outcome of this game. Difficult game to call. The McCrea Cup always seem to bring out the best in the Cooke side. Cooke to win.
Belfast Harlequins seconds v PSNI
This local derby can only have one outcome with the men from Deramore Park clear favourites to progress to the second round. For the PSNI team this has been a diffcult season with the unavailability of players reflecting their lowly league position in Qualifying Three. Quins 1st xv have a crucial AIL game at Stevenson Park on Saturday but with the playing resources available at the club Quins should run out comfortable winners.