RESULTS – 20 Oct.
Senior Cup DUNGANNON 15 – 21 RAINEY OLD BOYS
2nd XV League RAINET O.B. 2 7 – 60 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2
Minor : South RAINEY O.B. 4 38 – 7 CLOGHER VALLEY 3
RAINEY SPRING SURPRISE
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Division 2 B underdogs Rainey Old Boys earned their place in the last four of the Senior Cup when they came from behind to beat Dungannon 21 – 15 at Stevenson Park.While the Tyrone side had players on Ulster Ravens duty and others injured,this was still a notable victory for a Rainey team which has yet to fire on all cylinders this season.After an error strewn opening quarter,the standard rose and when Rainey introduced their replacements and began to believe that they could win the game,it became a very interesting contest.In the end,even the most fanatical of home supporters would admit that the Magherafelt side deserved to advance to the next stage.
Starting with a strange-looking line-up,Rainey looked shaky in the opening minutes and conceded a soft try after only five minutes when a poor clearance allowed Dungannon to counter and send back-row man Mc Mahon over for an unconverted try.Rainey No.8 Mc Gowan took the restart with a magnificent leap for flanker Harbinson to drive on and earn a penalty.Full-back O’Connor missed the target and as a series of decisions went their way,out-half Mc Guckin made it 8-0 to Dungannon.A little kick ahead from Campbell gave Rainey good field position and a spell of pressure ended with O’Connor opening Rainey’s account.Good play from Simpson and O’Connor produced quick ball whichRainey used to force another penalty which was missed,but they kept plugging away for Simpson to put them back in the corner.After a series of scrums,Dungannon hooker Jackson was yellow carded and O’Connor narrowed the deficit,but when the restart kick failed to travel the requisite ten metres,Rainey switched off,expecting a scrum to follow.They were penalised for not playing to the whistle as Dungannon then proceeded to disrupt a Rainey scrum and pour forward for flanker Hall to power his way over for a try which Mc Guckin goaled.
Rainey moved up a gear after the break with Mc Gowan competing well in the middle of the lineout and O’Connor slotted over a kick from his own half to make them sense that they could win the game.By the 51st minute four changes had been made up front and with half-backs Mc Cluggage and Martin putting the ball behind the opposition,most of the action took place in the home half.O’Connor obliged again when Harbinson won turnover ball to burst through the centre and win a penalty.Rainey then set up a glorious chance after good play from Mc Cluggage,O’Connor and O’Kane,but with a clear overlap failed to deliver the telling pass.Prop O’Kane had Dungannon reeling again with a storming run and when O’Connor was late-tackled after chipping ahead,he levelled the scores from 45 metres.Barker, Campbell and Rutledge headed another surge down the right,but Martin’s drop goal attempt failed to get off the ground.Rainey kept the squeeze on and O’Connor was just wide.Martin was just held back after intercepting,but Shiels kept play alive to leave Dungannon outnumbered,but again,Rainey failed to take advantage.On 72 minutes,Dungannon were accused of collapsing a scrum on their own ball for O’Connor to edge Rainey in front.Dungannon threatened briefly,but a Barker take and a penalty award took Rainey clear.
Dungannon lacked the firepower on the day to trouble Rainey on the counter and Rainey’s best scrum of the game gave Shiels the chance to punch his way to the posts and give O’Connor his seventh penalty of the day.
TEAM : M.O’Connor,A.Campbell,D.Mc Murray,S.Simpson,M.Mc Clelland,G.Martin,A.Mc Cluggage,S.Rutledge,N.Amos,N.O’Kane,P.Boyle,P.Stewart,T.Burns,A.Harbinson,P.Mc Gowan.
REPLACEMENTS : T.Barker ( Boyle 46 ) S.Mc Dowell ( Amos 46 ) M.Shiels ( Burns 50 ) C.O Neill ( Stewart 50 ) A.Clarke ( Mc Clelland )
In the 2nd XV League,Rainey entertained Belfast Harlequins 2,a team which was unable to field only a few weeks ago.The Deramore turned up with a very strong squad since their Firsts had no game and they were simply too powerful for a very game young home side who,to their credit,made them work for their scores and never wilted.The visitors won 60-7 with Paul Dillon getting Rainey’s try.Richard Mc Crea turned out at No.8 and his experience should be invaluable to the side.
Rainey O.B. 4 38 – 7 Clogher Valley 3
Powerful wing P.O’Neill marked his first game of the season with four tries and four conversions as Rainey O.B. 4 defeated Clogher Valley 3 by 38-7 in the league.The platform for this fine display was laid by a hard-working pack which contained a number of players who have minimal experience,but are learning quickly from their Wednesday night sessions.The Mulholland brothers are workhorses in the second-row,while flanker Moore can take good ball at the tail.Mc Cartney performed well on his debut at prop.R.Coleman and J.Mc Bride scored Rainey’s other tries.They led 21-0 at the interval.
FIXTURES – 27 Oct.
1st XV v SUNDAY’S WELL away
2nd XV v DERRY 2 away
3rd XV v DONAGHADEE 2 away
4th XV v BALLYSHANNON away
DIVISION 2 B : Navan v Boyne Connemara v Nenagh Instonians v Thomond Barnhall v Ards Skerries v Naas Sligo v Armagh Sottonians v Clonakilty
