Nutty Krust Cup holders, Dromore were given a real scare by a talented and very determined Rainey side in last night’s quarter final Nutty Krust match played under the Chambers Park lights.
In a ding dong affair Rainey set their stall out early as they used a strong wind right from the kick off. Talented out half and Man of the Match, Ciaran Devlin, caught the kick off and spiralled a great kick deep into the Dromore 22. Rainey kept Dromore under pressure for the opening 15 minutes with a succession of 5 metre line outs and drives. However Dromore’s determination and well organised defence ensured that their line remained intact and gradually the took control. Their skilful backline benefitted from the good work of a strong back row unit, in which flanker Matthew Jones was outstanding, at the breakdown. Time and again Dromore’s back three launched counter attacks from Devlin’s long probing kicks. Dromore’s Ulster U 18 scrum half, Lee Steenson who was playing his first full match after a broken leg played a prominent part in Dromore’s resurgence with probing runs and kicks as well as providing a slick service to his outside backs.
Dromore’s dominance of the first half was rewarded when centre Owen Gallagher finished off a good line break by fellow centre Aaron Stewart by dotting down close to the posts. The successful conversion by out half Chris Davison ensured that Dromore entered the break with a healthy 7-0 lead.
With the strong wind at their backs & a strong finish to the first half the expectancy was that Dromore were going to pile on the points in the second half. How wrong that proved to be as a determined Rainey side, well marshalled by out half Devlin, totally dominated both possession and territory in a one sided second half. The Rainey pack dominated the lineout and their catch and drive ensured they provided good possession for their backs.
Most of the second half was played in the Dromore 22 and only determined defence with centres Gallagher and Stewart to the forefront and a little help from lady luck prevented Rainey crossing the Dromore line. Three times the Rainey pack looked to have scored but the referee deemed that they had been held up on two occasions and a double movement took place on another. Another try scoring opportunity slipped away as a kick through just crossed the dead ball line before a Rainey hand got to it. How Rainey might have benefitted from a TMO is anyone’s guess! Despite strong drives from prop Tommy Mc Kenna and number 8 John Mc Kenna all Rainey had to show for their efforts was a well struck penalty by Devlin to narrow the gap to 7- 3.
The last play of the night really demonstrated that it was not going to be Rainey’s night when Dromore broke away from deep in their own 22 and kicked ahead leading to a touchdown by replacement Fraser Mulholland. The conversion attempt bounced back off the crossbar leaving a dejected Rainey wondering how they had lost and a relieved Dromore moving a step closer to retaining the cup.
Dromore now play Omagh in the semi final on Thursday 21 April (Change of date). Next week the 2 remaining quarter final matches will be played. On Tuesday 12 April the Armagh/Monaghan squad will play Dundalk and on Wednesday host side Portadown face the daunting challenge of taking on Ulster Champions and All Ireland finalists, Malone.
For information purposes: Dundalk were awarded the match against Instonians as Instonians played ineligible players
