Approaching the halfway point and with six weekends remaining, Portadown continue to make the right moves in their bid for promotion from Division Three. Although a tough job was made to look even harder last week against Corinthians in Galway, Portadown report no injuries to their 21-man squad for this week's crunch tie against Bohemians.
With full points from five games so far, the Ulster side can now afford to target a Division Two slot. An average of 30 points per game (150 points in total) is an impressive trend and no other team looks capable of really unsettling the pace-setters.
Blessed with a formidable front eight, Bohemians could, however, be one of the teams to match Portadown - in the forwards at least - as they prepare for Saturday's Chamber's Park meeting.
Last week, Bohemians demolished Queen's 51-22 after they were able to field a full side after months of severe injury problems.
Props Christy Nealon and Martin Cahill both came through the Queen's game without any problems, while South African wing forward Greg Koch also emerged intact after a run out for the Limerick side. In addition, scrum-half Colin Murphy came on as a substitute and felt no ill effects.
At one stage during the season, Bohemians had their two first-choice scrum-halves injured and their third choice was match tied. Injury-free Bohemians could be the team to watch for the second half of this campaign.
Portadown, though, can look to Ricky McIlmoyle who has kicked 57 points to date, with wingers Graham McCloskey and Rob McDowell also showing a sharpness out wide, with four tries and three tries, respectively, so far this season.
Trinity have a free weekend, while Queen's will probably continue to struggle against the greater depth and strength of their opponents, Highfield, whom they host this week.
Flanker Robert Dunlop remains injured with both Peter Spence, at scrum-half, and Paul Parker, at loose-head prop, named in the team, but with question marks over their fitness. Neither Spence nor Parker played last weekend and this week the students may well find that their pack continues to be too lightweight to make an impression.
Suttonians have not yet selected, but promise a new look to their side to play Corinthians. Russell Southam and Conor O'Mahony are back, Southam from exams and O'Mahony from injury. Back row Stephen Gallagher and prop Merion Davies came on last week in the 99 draw with Collegians and will be in the shake up for selection to start.
In Division Four, Carlow still have designs on the championship and, after last week's win over Omagh, sit third on the table. They have not yet selected for their home game against Creggs, but welcome the return to fitness of back row Andrew Kenny who played last week on the second XV much sooner than expected. He is now back in contention for a first-team place.
Bangor, sitting second in the table two points behind Richmond, are also without injuries, but have two players unavailable for their game against Ballina. Inside centre Keith Nevin is at a wedding, while second row Neil Thallon will not have returned from a skiing holiday in time for the game.
