Malone know they have to arrest their miserable form with immediate effect if they are to wriggle free of ninth and a relegation play-off spot.
ith three games remaining, and Banbridge just two points in front of the Gibson Park side in Division 1B, the time is now to put an end to their nine-game run without a win with the visit of seventh-placed Old Belvedere.
Malone coach Wilbur Leacock commented: “If we want to assure ourselves of avoiding the relegation play-off, these are simply must-win games. We’re still alive at this stage.”
Malone have Aaron Sexton released from Ulster along with Ireland U20s player Adam McNamee.
Banbridge, eager to move away from Malone and the play-off zone, are at St Mary’s College, while City of Armagh journey to Shannon.
Up in 1A, Ballynahinch are already booked in for the relegation play-offs and face Dublin University at home.
Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu is again turning out for the club.
Queen’s University can secure a valuable top-spot finish in 2A, ahead of the promotion play-offs, when they journey to Dolphin, while Ballymena, in fourth, will be looking to stay on target for their knockout game ambitions at Old Crescent.
Rainey Old Boys, who are propping up the table and whose gaze is firmly fixed on the relegation play-offs, are also on the road at Barnhall.
Belfast Harlequins are at Ballina with improving on third place in 2B very much part of their plans, while, down in seventh, Dungannon have other issues to occupy them ahead of hosting Wanderers.
In 2C, Bangor are guaranteed a top-four finish but will be hoping to overhaul Skerries to make second. Tom Rock’s in-form squad are at Midleton.
City of Derry look to be in a do-or-die clash with Sundays Well in terms of the North West side plotting an escape from ninth in the table, while Omagh go to leaders Enniscorthy.
Division 1A: Ballynahinch v Trinity;
Division 1B: Shannon v City of Armagh, Malone v Old Belvedere, St Mary’s College v Banbridge;
Division 2A: Dolphin v Queen’s University, Barnhall v Rainey Old Boys, Old Crescent v Ballymena;.
Division 2B: Ballina v Belfast Harlequins, Dungannon v Wanderers;n
Division 2C: City of Derry v Sundays Well, Midleton v Bangor, Omagh v Enniscorthy.
