MALONE II 27 – 12 RAINEY II
2nds League 22nd September 2012
Scorers: McKernan(1*Try), McBride(1*Try), (1*Conv)
Rainey Old Boys 2nd XV went down 27 – 12 against a very strong Malone 2nd XV side at Gibson Park in the early kick-off match. On the day, it was the unprecedented 17 first half penalties Rainey conceded in their own half that made the difference, and ultimately quashed any hopes of an upset.
The game unfortunately barely got going in the first half as Malone were awarded penalty after penalty for infringements at the breakdown. However, Rainey refused to drop their heads and their defence from 1 to 15 remained resilient throughout. Nonetheless, the halftime score was 20-0 to the home side as Malone capitalised on penalty opportunities, which constantly enabled them to pin Rainey back in the corners, as well as take points from the boot. Despite this, particular credit must be given to Rainey’s Richard Hill, Andrew Harbinson, Ian Hutchinson and James McBride who all defended incredibly throughout, whilst outhalf Kenny Irvine continued to keep an attacking threat going when limited opportunities arose.
An effective half-time team talk seemed to gather the Rainey men’s composure, and in the second half penalties were massively reduced. A significant amount more possession allowed Rainey’s strong runners to get going, and gaps were found throughout. A sniping run from scrum-half Donaghy took Rainey deep inside the opposition 22 which led to a number of great forward phases and eventually McKernan touched down on the hour mark.
Not long after, a great bit of back-play led to centres Cassidy and McBride linking well, creating an overlap, and McBride went over in the corner, with team mates to spare outside.
Malone however managed one breakaway try in the second half to add to their 20 first half points, and the final score was 27-12.
RAINEY III 24 – 38 INSTONIANS III
Junior 3 22nd September 2012
Scorers: G.McGuckin(1*Try), M.Donnelly(1*Try), I.Patterson(1*Try), M.Walls(2*con, 1*Pen), G.Walker(1*Con)
Disruptions to the team during the week, injuries to important players and basic errors at critical periods of the game all combined to see Rainey fall to their first defeat of the season against Instonians III at Hatrick Park. For the third game in a row, they dominated at scrum time and were a constant threat in the lineouts. However disaster struck only one minute into the game as full back C.Moran aggravated a hamstring injury, although he manfully played on out on the wing.
Some good play by the forwards saw them rewarded with a penalty which the peerless M.Walls executed in ruthless fashion. Rainey dominated early proceedings but were twice overlapped out wide to see Inst cross for two tries which were not converted. This annoyed the Rainey pack who again using some quality ball off the lineout, were able to perfect an excellent catch and drive into the corner from which G.McGuckin scored as he did in similar fashion last week. M.Walls converted.
Ten minutes later, some great work and handling from the indomitable G.Ewing and S.Holgate in the centre saw M.Donnelly pierce through the defence to score just to the right of the posts. M.Walls again converting.
Unfortunately, it was all Inst after the break as M.Walls picked up an injury and had to be replaced at fly half by S.Holgate. Thing’s got worse when G.Ewing was unlucky to be shown a yellow card for supposedly going off his feet at a ruck. Inst scored in the next phase of play as they turned the screw. Several more scores followed as Rainey imploded, gifting three tries due to poor clearance kicking.
Rainey did make a go of it in the last twenty with K.Campton running rampant. He fed the ball to D.McCann who showed the Inst No.8 just how big a palm he has. I.Patterson then took it on only to see a knock on from the resultant ruck from where Inst spread it wide and after a few phases scored under the posts.
The Thirds did however have the final say as another kick to the corner saw C.Patterson take a catch and drive from which D.McCann helped I.Patterson to barge over for a try. G.Walker converting the last play of the game.
TEAM: R.Convery, G.McGuckin, D.McCann, I.Patterson, C.Patterson (c), A.Davis, G.Ewing, K.Campton, P.Smyth, M.Walls, S.Holgate, M.Donnelly, C.O’Kane, G.Walker, C.Moran.
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