There was drama aplenty at Forenaughts where Rainey Old Boys staged a grandstand finish to snatch a 19-19 draw with Naas. The Kildare side looked certain winners when they led 19-5 well into the last quarter,but the league leaders showed their mettle in running in two converted tries to come away with two vital points. CLICK HERE for official digital shots from Charles Henderson
Needing a win to keep in touch with the frontrunners,Naas started with a bang.Getting through on scrappy Rainey lineout ball,they scored in the corner after only two minutes when wing Campbell brushed off Clarke’s tackle.Full-back Aherne converted.Facing a strong wind on a heavy surface,Rainey struggled to match the intensity of a fired up home side and were hard pushed to hold out when a loose pass from O’Connor put them in trouble.Naas missed two kicks at goal as they camped in the Rainey half,but on 21 minutes they made it 14-0 when quick turnover ball gave their strong-running backs enough space to inflict damage.
The yellow carding of powerful Samoan No. 8 Timoteo was just the boost Rainey needed to raise their game and gain a foothold in the match.With patient build-up play and excellent ball retention,they edged forward with Simpson and Harbinson making ground and their efforts were rewarded when prop O’Kane barged over for a vital score.But,five minutes later,the ball emerged on the Naas side as the Rainey pack tried to roll out of their 22′ and it was swiftly flashed across the field to leave Naas 19-5 up at half-time.
Barker was unable to resume for Rainey who enjoyed almost total territorial domination after the break,but failed to create chances as their lineout play again let them down.A promising move came to nothing when Mc Murray held on too ,but they grabbed a vital lifeline after 68 minutes when centre Simpson’s low centre of gravity helped him to carve out an opening for Shiels,O’Connor converting.With replacement Boyle making his presence felt,the Rainey forwards grew in strength,opting for scrums instead of kicking to the corner and their efforts were rewarded two minutes from tim
e when scrum-half Mc Cluggage dived over from a ruck just short of the goal-line.The conversion tied the scores.Seconds later,the final whistle sounded with no stoppage time added.
TEAM : M.O’Connor,A.Clarke,D.Mc Murray,S.Simpson,R.Lamberton,G,Martin,A.Mc Cluggage,S.Rutledge,S.Sufferin,N.O’Kane,T.Barker,P,McGowan,A.Harbinson,S,Hawe,D.Dawson.
REPLACEMENTS : M.Shiels ( Barker 40 ) K.Donaghy ( Sufferin 57 ) T,Burns ( Dawson 74 ) M.Mc Clelland ( Lamberton 74 ) S.Sufferin ( Donaghy 74 )
DIVISION 2 B results : Armagh 17 – 6 Nenagh Boyne 14 – 9 Clonakilty Instonians 33 – 17 Connemara Navan 20 – 16 Sunday’s Well Skerries 30 – 29 Barnhall Sligo 20 – 3 Suttonians Thomond 20 – 12 Ards
CITY OF DERRY 2 25-20 RAINEY O.B. 2
A try,five minutes from time,gave City of Derry 2 a 25-20 victory over Rainey O.B. 2 in the Second Fifteen League at Judges Road where the same side meet again in the Towns’ Cup this week.Forwards Paul Heaney and Peter Stewart stood out for Rainey who might well have won this game.Their try scorers were centre Mc Erlean,flanker Dysart and hooker Mc Calmont.Walker landed a conversion and a penalty.
In the Crawford Cup,Rainey O.B. 3 hammered Donaghadee 2 by 67-7 at Hatrick Park to move into the last eight of the competition.This was their sixth consecutive victory.
FIXTURES for Sat.,2 Feb.
2nd XV v Derry away
4th XV v Donaghadee 3 Cup home
