BELFAST HARLEQUINS 5 – 38 RAINEY III
Junior 3 18th January 2014
Scores : Cassidy(1*Try), G.McGucken(1*Try), Patterson(1*Try), Donnelly(1*Try), O’Neill(1*Try), Dillon(5*Conv, 1*Pen)
After two poor performances in Junior 3, Rainey III got back on track with an impressive 38-5 victory over a good Harlequins side at Derramore. Despite losing prop McKenna after fifteen minutes with a calf injury, Rainey showed ‘Quins how to take their chances in a great contest played on a heavy surface.
The match ebbed and flowed around half way for the first ten minutes as each side tested the other’s defense. Both sides played a physical game throughout though Rainey had the upper hand in the scrum with two turnovers before influential prop and former captain, Declan McKenna had to retire early. Rainey were guilty of giving away several soft penalties, being offside on several occasions before Gavin McGucken ended up in the sin-bin as a result of the team not listening to the referee.
Harlequins went close with a penalty that just dropped short, before a good break by Mark Eastwood took play up to the Quins 22’. Livewire out-half Paul Dillon threw the perfect pass to the on coming Jamie Cassidy who hit the line at speed and raced in under the posts. Dillon converting. Ten minutes before half time Quins infringed at a ruck, allowing Dillon to extend the lead.
Early in the second half Rainey again found themselves offside resulting in Jamie Cassidy spending ten minutes in the sin bin. Quins spread the ball wide, from where the Rainey defense eventually ran out of defenders and big prop Austen Blackburn barged over in the corner. Rainey hit back immediately with the try of the game. Classy offloading by Paul Heaney and Ian Patterson gave the Rainey backline the opportunity to run the ball from their 22’. Paddy Kidd charged up the middle and interlinked with Mark Eastwood, who popped the ball to Castledawson man, Connor O’Kane who fed it to scrum half Neil Lennox on the Quins 22’. From there he whipped the ball to the speedy Mark Donnelly to nip in at the corner to extend the lead.
From here Rainey upped the ante. Powerful running by 19 year old prop, Michael Nevin, saw Rainey punch through the Quins’ defense and speedster Paudie O’Neill was on hand to dot down under the posts after side-stepping two defenders. Hooker Gavin McGucken was next on the scoreboard as he claimed his sixth league try of the season after holding off a would be defender to cross the line. He then turned provider as he popped the ball to captain Colin Patterson who stretched for the line to put the result beyond doubt.
Man of the Match goes to Gavin McGucken, who carried well and was at the heart of most of the tries scored.
Rainey remain top of Junior League Three and take on City of Derry III next Saturday at Hattrick Park.
TEAM: M.Nevin, G.McGucken, D.McKenna, I.Patterson, C.O’Kane, C.Patterson (c), M.Eastwood, P.Heaney, N.Lennox, P.Dillon, J.Cassidy, P.Kidd, D.Johnston, M.Donnelly, P.O’Neill
RAINEY IV 38 – BANBRIDGE V
Minor South 18th January 2014
Scores: Walshe(3*Try), McMurry(1*Try), McCusker(1*Try), Donaghy(1*Try), Coleman(4*Conv),
Rainey IV, without captain Michael Lee, recorded their biggest win of the season so far when they beat a depleted Banbridge V by 38 points to 10 at a gloomy Hatrick Park. The falling rain and a sodden surface did not prevent Rainey from running in four early tries through centre Walshe (2), out-half McMurray and second-row McCusker, all converted by second-row Coleman. Banbridge upped their game to reduce the deficit before half-time and added a second try after the break. Rainey regained the initiative with prop Donaghy using his impressive physique to score in the corner. Walshe completed his hat-trick in the last minute.
Rainey Vs Naas Match Ball Sponsorship
Rainey Old Boys would like to express their thanks to Cathy Cowden of McConville Recovery Specialists, for sponsoring the match ball for the AIL game between Rainey and Naas and also their new pitchside board.
Cathy Cowden of McConville Revovery Specialists presents the match ball to Tommy McGoldrick and Oliver McShane. Also pictured are John Robinson, Ulster Branch President and Charlie McConville of Rainey Mini Rhinos
Based in the heart of Mid-Ulster covering Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt , McConville Recovery Specialists operate on a 24hr call out basis country wide. They are situated between the M1 and the M2 motorways, opening up access to any part of the province. Visit their website HERE for more information.
