I XV 21 v City Of Derry RFC 42 AIL 28th September 2013
Scores: O’Connor(3*Con), D.McMurray(1*Try), Magowan(1*Try), Stirling(1*Try)
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After their recent defeat at the hands of City of Derry, Rainey Old Boys were intent on putting up a better fight on the opening day of the AIL programme, but, while they can take some positives from a 42-21 scoreline, they had to play second-fiddle to a very strong side which is likely to be in the mix come the end of the season. With Michael Pyper and Gavin Martin both ruled out, Rainey had to switch Alan McCluggage to out-half and bring in Ulster U19 scrum-half Peter Kidd, who did very well on his debut. Further changes were necessary when a late hit forced McCluggage to retire towards the end of the third quarter. To their credit, Rainey did not lie down and came agonisingly close to grabbing a last minute try which would have earned them a bonus point.
In perfect conditions at a sunsplashed Judges Road, it was one-way traffic in the first ten minutes as Rainey struggled to get their hands on the ball and, despite some great tackling, they trailed 10-0 to a second minute try and a penalty. But after 15 minutes Rainey were back in the contest when some slick passing on the short side created a chance and an inside pass sent Damien McMurray through for a lovely try which O’Connor converted. Three minutes later they were amazingly in front. A Simpson tackle led to a turnover in midfield and a chip ahead forced Derry to hack to touch. From the lineout, a catch and drive resulted in a try for flanker McGowan. O’Connor again converted.
McCluggage,showing some neat touches in his enforced role, had a kick charged down, but O’Connor saved the day with a fine counter. Derry tried to put width on the ball at every opportunity, but some excellent back-row defence kept them in check and earned a penalty which was missed. Simpson then threatened when another good tackle produced a gap, but Derry worked their way down to the Rainey 22′ where McGowan stole lineout ball only to become isolated and concede a penalty which the majestic McCarter kicked.
A bout of aerial tennis presented Rainey with chances of moving downfield, but they missed the boat and McCarter kicked a penalty after ghosting through into the home 22′. With Rutledge in the bin, Rainey came under pressure again straight from the restart and, despite a loose pass, Derry scored a soft try right on half-time.
A disputed decision added to Rainey’s woes and a long clearance gave the Derry pack the chance to go through for another try. Rainey nearly broke away when a Derry attack broke down and Mulholland sent O’Connor clear, but his scoring pass to Campbell was just too high. On 67 minutes, Derry made absolutely sure of the points with their fourth try and added another five minutes later when Kidd released his backs with a beautiful pass only for a handling error to gift the opposition a score.
Forwards Heaney and Shiels gave their all as Rainey dominated the closing minutes. A second Derry player was yellow carded and wing Stirling went in for Rainey’s third try to give them an outside chance of snatching an unlikely bonus point. In time added on, they drove at the Derry line several times before the ball was spread, but, with a clear overlap out wide, O’Connor was unable to gather a bouncing ball.
TEAM : M.O’Connor, N.Stirling, D.McMurray, S.Simpson, J.McMurray, A.McCluggage, P.Kidd, S.Rutledge, S.Sufferin, N.O’Kane, P.Boyle, M.Shiels, P.McGowan, C.Mitchell, P.Heaney.
REPLACEMENTS : A.Kirk, A.Campbell, M.Caithness, S.Mulholland, C.Barclay.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS II 32 – 14 RAINEY II
2nds League 28th September 2013
Scores: Moran(2*Con), Derby(1*Try), Hall(1*Try)
In the Second Fifteen League, an early kick-off at Deramore gave Belfast Harlequins II a considerable advantage over Rainey II who had five of their squad on the bench in Derry. The Rainey scrummaging was top class, but ‘Quins had it all their own way in the lineout and had a couple of match-winners behind the scrum. Leading 22-0 at one stage, ‘Quins ran out 32-14 winners. Rainey played some fine rugby, with centre Simon Derby their most likely line-breaker. He it was who put them on the scoreboard just before half-time. Prop forward Richard Hall claimed their second, both converted by Anton Moran.
RAINEY III 22 – 12 Ballynahinch V Junior 3 28th September 2013
Scores: McGucken(1*Try), McIvor(1*Try), Donnelly(1*Try), K.Irvine(2*Con. 1*Pen)
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Games between these two sides are always physical affairs and this game proved no different. Both large packs hammered away at each other in the early stages, with ‘Hinch holding the upper hand in the lineouts and Rainey having the edge in the scrums. Early ‘Hinch possession saw them test the Rainey defense several times but big hits from Ciaran McNamee and Andrew Davis in particular saw them repulsed.
With the early storm weathered, it was Rainey’s turn to test the ‘Hinch defense. An excellent team try began with delightful handling and off-loading by Declan McKenna, who fed Paddy Kidd, whose perfectly-timed pass saw returning hooker Gavin McGucken gallop over the line for the first score of the day.
A few minutes later Colin Patterson put the ‘Hinch out-half under pressure, before tearing the ball off him and powering deep into the opposition 22’, where an off load to Gavin McGucken saw him go within an inch of the line before being hauled down. More pressure was applied as Paul Smyth showed all his wizardry to burrow over the line from a ruck, only to be undone by the referee, who awarded a five metre scrum instead. Eventually, Kenny Irvine added to the Rainey tally with a well-taken penalty after the ‘Hinch centre was sin-binned for hands in the ruck.
The second half saw Rainey temporarily go to sleep when the opposition scored under the posts from a pick-and-go from the scrum. Some excellent lineout work by John McKenna and Connor O’Kane allowed Mark Eastwood to fire the ball out to the backs. From the resulting ruck, the ball went to Ciaran McIvor who crashed into a tackle, spun, wriggled his way out of it and raced to the line to score a five-pointer.
‘Hinch replied in the corner, as the home side eased off due the men in green being down a man. A stern talk from the three wise men of Kenny Irvine, Colin Patterson and Declan McKenna galvanised the side when it looked like the result might be slipping away from them. With ten minutes to go, an expertly executed crossfield kick saw the gazelle-like Paddy Kidd speed up the touchline, leap like a salmon and claim the ball just on the 22’. He easily dummied the last defender before touching down in the corner. However, this contender for try of the season wasn’t to be as the referee judged it to be offside, much to the annoyance of the large crowd. In the last minute, Mark Donnelly denied the away side a losing bonus point as he scored a carbon-copy of C.McIvor’s earlier try, this time scoring under the posts.
Man of the Match was a tough call but goes this week to Paul Smyth, whose quick distribution allowed the backs good quick ball and was unlucky to not get on the scoreboard.
Next week sees the team travel to old rivals Omagh III. Again, all support welcome and appreciated.
TEAM: R.Deehan, G.McGucken, D.McKenna, C.O’Kane, M.Eastwood, A.Davis, C.Patterson, J.McKenna, P.Smyth, K.Irvine, C.McNamee, C.McIvor, D.McGuckin, P.Kidd, M.Donnelly
RAINEY IV 14 – 34 OMAGH IV Minor South 28th September 2013
Scores: Walker(3*Pen), McElhone(1*Try)
A bad last fifteen minutes cost Rainey IV as visitors Omagh IV took advantage to win 34-14. Rainey led 14-13 going into the final quarter, but a series of substitutions saw them lose their momentum and a number of missed tackles proved costly. Both sides were guilty of indiscipline, scrum-half Walker kicking three penalties for Rainey, who trailed 10-9 at half-time. Centre McElhone put them ahead with a try in the corner, but Michael Holgate’s lineout play and his father’s experience were wasted when the game was there for the taking.
Team 1. Michael Lee 2. Kevin Brennan 3. Michael Keenan 4. Hugh Mulholland 5. Francis Mulholland 6. Mikel Holgate 7. Craig Moore 8. Aaron Laverty 9. Gavin Walker 10. Robert Smyth 11. Seamus Og Birt 12. Stephen Holgate 13. Aidan McElhone 14. Conor Scullion 15. Mark Allen
Subs: 16. Paul Frost 17. Francis Loane 18. Phelim Trainer 19. Chris O’Neill 20. Dermot Shaw 21. Odhran Totten
