Ulster Senior League Dungannon 22 Rainey OB 17
Dungannon made it a winning start in the Ulster Senior League when they rallied to overcome Rainey OB at Stevenson Park on Saturday. The lively visitors, courtesy of efficient wingers, Ross McCloskey and Mark Gordon, had built up a 17 point lead in the opening quarter. It was no less than Rainey deserved and thereafter Dungannon used their pack to grind out a result. Well done to newcomers Matthew Montgomery, Wayne Lyons, Jamie McNeill and Ross McCaughey who combined well with the more experienced James Bates, Tim Smith, James McMahon and the Sinnamon brothers, Glen and Steven.
The game was just 3 minutes old when good handling led to the opening try per left winger, Gordon. McCloskey duly added the conversion and Rainey were off to a flying start. Dungannon responded with a searing midfield break from Montgomery before a penalty allowed the County Derry men to clear the danger. Rainey kept the momentum going until a string of perfect passes saw McCloskey dart in at the corner for a try that he converted himself. The same player almost repeated the dose before Chris Henderson dragged the winger to touch. McCloskey made amends midway through the half when he hit the target with a penalty to send Rainey 17 points clear. It was time for Dungannon to bounce back and with the pack dominating up front it was a penalty close in that led to the opening score. Dungannon drove forward from the set piece and Bates was at hand to score at the posts. Henderson converted to make it 7-17 on 34 minutes. There followed a good break from Mark Faloon but the Rainey defence stood firm as the half time whistle sounded.
Dungannon remained on the front foot as the second half got underway and Henderson was unlucky not to score while Rainey had the misfortune to lose a player to the ‘bin’. Again the home side opted for a scrum and at the third attempt a visiting prop was forced off injured. Henderson then added the simple penalty, closing the gap to 7 points on 52 minutes. Dungannon’s next sortie led to a try for the industrious Stephen Todd five minutes later. Henderson was unable to convert and the score stood at 15-17. Going into the final quarter Glen Sinnamon was deemed ‘held up’ but justice was done minutes later when the same player crashed over to give Dungannon a first time lead. Henderson duly added the extras to make it 22-17. And that’s how it finished despite a late surge from the plucky visitors.
Dungannon:- Matthew Montgomery, Darren Simpson, Mark Faloon, Wayne Lyons, Jack Ravey, Chris Henderson, James Bates, Steven Sinnamon, Jamie McNeill, Glen Sinnamon, Tim Smith, Ross McCaughey, Stephen Todd, Jake McCammon, James McMahon. Reps: Daniel Maxwell, Adam Lockhart, Rodney Blair, Bryan Davidson, Gareth McGonigle.
Rainey OB:- Jonny Crowe, Ross McCloskey, Damian McMurray, Joseph McMurray, Mark Gordon, Timmy Emerson, Michael Pyper, Tommy O’Hagan, Joseph Roe, Kieran Donaghy, Peter Stewart, Conal Murphy, David Dawson, Conor Simpson, Paddy McGowan. Reps: Richard Hall, Sam Sufferin, Peter Boyle, Alan Clinton, Gavin Martin.
Referee:- Jonathan Erskine (Ulster Branch)
