ARDS 8 – 27 RAINEY AIL 6th October 2012 Scorers: O’Connor(2*Pen, 3*Conv)
Rainey Old Boys picked up another four points in the AIL when they beat Ards 27-8 at Hamilton Park. Ards led 5-0 within two minutes of the kick-off, but Rainey controlled matters up front for O’Connor to reduce the deficit. Ards had a player yellow carded, but defended well as the visitors forced the pace into the wind and went 8-3 ahead after 34 minutes with a penalty.
Good continuity brought Rainey a vital try three minutes after the break, O’Connor converting Clarke’s score from a wide angle. Injuries to two Ards’ props resulted in uncontested scrums and helped Ards look dangerous for a spell. But despite having centre McMurray yellow carded, Rainey kicked a penalty and made sure of the points with a Pyper try ten minutes from time.
With debutant Magowan given some game time in the second-row and Simpson returning from injury, Rainey finished strongly. O’Connor and Boyle started a move which ended with Clarke cruising in for his second try. O’Connor again added the points with a towering kick.
TEAM : M.O’Connor, A.Campbell, M.Pyper, D.McMurray, A.Clarke, G.Martin, A.McCluggage, S.Rutledge, S.Sufferin, N.O’Kane, P.Stewart, T.Barker, C.O’Neill, M.Shiels, A.Harbinson.
REPLACEMENTS : S.McDowell ( Rutledge 34 ) N.Amos ( Sufferin 34 ) P.Boyle ( Stewart 47 ) P.Magowan ( McDowell 54 ) S.Simpson ( Pyper 72 )
RAINEY IV 20 – 13 OMAGH IV Minor League South 6th October 2012
Scorers: Rauri Coleman (1*Try) Ciaran Devlin (1*Try, 2*Con, 2*Pen)
After last week’s victory on the road, Rainey were at home to Omagh and although they made a couple of changes to the previous week’s line up, this had not weakened it in any way.
From the kick off Rainey put the pressure on the Omagh pack and after several minutes were rewarded with a try by Ciaran Devlin which was converted. From the restart Rainey again went forward and were unlucky not to be awarded another try. Omagh did make progress up the field and were denied several times by a strong Rainey defence, with some great tackling from Craig Moore, Hugh Mulholland and the rest of the pack keeping the the Omagh attack at bay. Some good rucking led to Rainey getting a penalty and clearing down the field.
With Craig Moore dominating the line out, Rainey were able to maul their way up the field and got a penalty which Ciaran Devlin duly converted to leave the score at 10-0 to Rainey.
Omagh picked themselves up, made progress up the field and after a lot of pressure, got a try which they converted to bring the score to 10-7. Rainey went on the attack from the restart and with the back line pressurising on the Omagh backs, were unlucky when a certain scoring pass was given as forward.
From the restart Rainey went straight back to work and with James McGoldrick, Fintan Martin and Marty McAlynn putting in some great tackles kept the Omagh attack at bay. Rainey made use of the wind and kept Omagh pinned backed. Then Omagh cleared with a kick up the field and Rauri Coleman collected to run in for a great try which Ciaran Devlin converted from the touch line to leave the score 17-7. With Gary Coleman and Ciaran Heagarty leading the pack, Rainey kept Omagh under pressure and the game started to get scrappy. Rainey were awarded another penalty which Ciaran Devlin converted score 20-7.
Omagh came on the attack and were rewarded with a penalty which they opted to kick bringing the score to 20-10. Rainey rallied and were unlucky not score a try from a Gary Coleman quick tap penalty when he barged over but made significant contact with the referee on the way. Omagh got back down the field and got another penalty which they kicked to bring the score to 20-13. The game got a lot more scrappy and with some fisticuffs taking place, Rainey held out until with seconds to go, John McGoldrick stole the ball from a ruck to ease the pressure and for the referee to blow the full time whistle. Final score 20-13 to Rainey.
This was a very hard fought but well-deserved victory. With Craig Moore and Kevin Brennan standing out in the forwards and the back line all performing, well the team is looking great.
The next match is at home to Clogher Valley on 20th Oct. Training still continues on Wednesday night 19:30 at the club.
Team: Michael Lee, Kevin Brennan, Stephen Fields, Hugh Mulholland, Francis Mulholland, Paul Frost, Ciaran Heagarty, Craig Moore, Ciaran Devlin, James McGoldrick, Fintan Martin, Johnny McBride, Marty McAlynn, Aidan McAlynn, Aidan McElhone, Chris Kelly, Graeme Taylor, Rauri Coleman, Gary Coleman, John McGoldrick .
