Forster Cup Final 4th XV vs Rainey OB (20 – 17)
This was a very entertaining clash between Dungannon and Rainey OB, a repeat of last year’s Forster Cup Final at Ravenhill. Dungannon shot into an early lead after two minutes when centres, Steven Martin and Andrew Holmes combined well for the latter to touch down.
5 – 0
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The Magherafelt boys settled after that and Martin Walls went close with a penalty on ten minutes. Dungannon countered with Cormac Convery cutting in field but he was isolated by the Rainey defence. Richard Fletcher then hoofed the ball downfield but the stiff breeze took it across the dead ball line. Errors spoiled chances for both sides and when Rainey were awarded a scrum on the Dungannon twenty-two Martin Walls went on a sweeping run that took him all the way to the corner. His try was converted by Caolan Moran to give Rainey the lead after twenty-five minutes.
5 – 7
Dungannon’s reaction was swift and when a penalty was drilled to the corner a lineout drive paved the way for Richard Holmes to touch down two minutes later. Convery added an excellent conversion for the lead.
12 – 7
Rainey responded and held ground for a time before Moran shot wide with a penalty chance. Another lineout drive saw Andrew Holmes stopped in his tracks before Cormac Convery banged over a penalty on thirty-seven minutes.
15 – 7
Stuart McKenzie fielded the restart and set up Convery for a threatening run on the left wing. The Rainey defence finally dumped him in touch and the half ended
Rainey had wind advantage in the second half and soon took advantage when a penalty was drilled to the corner. The ball was quickly released for Walls to jink his way through to the posts for is second try. Moran added the simple conversion and Rainey were just one point adrift on forty-two minutes.
15 – 14
It was all looking a little ominous for Dungannon at this stage and even more so when Richard Holmes was given a yellow card. Moran then put Rainey back in front with a penalty after fifty-two minutes.
15 – 17
All credit to the Dungannon fourteen; it was all they conceded until Holmes returned. Skipper, Gareth Lucas then called for better discipline as the Dungannon pack took control. Some good picking and driving ended with sub, Adam Booth diving over in the corner on the hour mark. That put Dungannon back in front.
20 – 17
Both sides tried hard to make ground in the final quarter but the Dungannon forward unit held control and Rainey were limited to a penalty award on seventy-five minutes. Moran shot wide and Dungannon held on for a memorable victory. At the finish Gareth Lucas climbed the podium to collect the trophy that Dungannon last won in 2001.
The win was a fitting reward for Julian Knipe’s boys. They have played well this season and overturned last season’s match result.
Now it is time to concentrate on the Harden Cup.
Team: Jonathan Smith. Cormac Convery, Andrew Holmes, Steven Martin, Kevin McElduff . Richard Fletcher, Richard Wright. Ally Moore, Rodney Lucas, Wallace McKay, Gareth Lucas (Capt), Clive Weir, Richard Holmes, Declan Treanor, Stuart McKenzie, Jeremy Baird, Stephen Donaghy, Philip Hall, Andrew Girvan. Adam Booth.
Referee: John Spottiswoode
Tries: Andrew Holmes, Richard Holmes & Adam Booth
Conversions: Cormac Convery
Penalties: Cormac Convery
Drop Goal
