Instonians are Senior Cup Final underdogs against Queen’s, says coach Paul Pritchard

It represents an historic day for Inst as this is their first Final since returning to senior rugby two years ago while the club have not lifted the trophy since way back in season 1998/99.

And as a footnote, today’s clubs were the first ones to have battled over the Cup when Ravenhill was opened for business a century ago, Queen’s winning on that distant day.

More recently, the Students have been well-versed with being in the shakedown to claim this piece of silverware and this will be their third straight Final having won it two years ago before losing out to Ballynahinch 12 months ago.

Queen’s certainly come in battle-hardened for Saturday’s game having fought their way through the AIL Play-Offs to maintain their Division 1B status, the process having ended a week ago when they narrowly defeated Barnhall at the Dub.

Instonians, however, have not had a competitive game for four weeks since the AIL wrapped up — the Shaws Bridge outfit having nailed back-to-back promotions — so may have lost some edge ahead of this clash, though with a cadre of their players having previously been with Queen’s there is no shortage in motivation.

Instonians player/coach Paul Pritchard is maintaining that his squad are underdogs even though his side have already seen off AIL Division One opponents City of Armagh and Ballynahinch to reach the Cup Final.

“They (Queen’s) have had those Play-Off games and they are a Division One team,” said Pritchard, who as a player has previously won the Senior Cup with Ballymena and Ballynahinch but is currently out injured.

“The pressure is on them; we’re looking forward to that and we quite enjoy that and it gives our guys a lot of freedom.

“We’re certainly going to go for it, the pressure is off.

“We know we are underdogs, but we are going to give it a good shot.

“From three years ago being in that junior Play-Off to now being in the Senior Cup Final is a huge achievement.

“There is a lot of experience among the guys at the club with the Senior Cup, though it has been a while since Inst have been in it themselves,” Pritchard added.

Queen’s assistant coach DJ Creighton added: “We’ve had a lot of rugby over the past four weeks and no easy games so we’ll be ready for whatever Instonians throw at us.

“The guys have survived that game on Saturday to stay in 1B and I think that will stand us in really good stead going into next season but will also put us in good shape for this weekend as we are seriously battle-hardened.”