Rainey Old Boys continued their build up to the Ulster League start on August 27 with a sixty minute squad session against Academy at Hatrick Park.With several of their more experienced players unavailable,Rainey took the opportunity to give some game time to all members of their 24 man squad,some of whom have just recently left school.Young Damian Mc Murray,brother of Jerome,and Coleraine duo Alan Clark and Andy Dysart will push for places in the senior panel,as could Ruairi Murray,who has shown great potential in the past at a lower level.
A nasty shower just before kick-off left the surface slippery,but the sun came out for the duration of the game,which proved beneficial to both clubs.The handling was good,although some Rainey players were guilty on occasions of holding on too long with faster options available.The Qualifying 1 side put together some good passages of play without ever seriously threatening the home line.
Academy made the early running,but Rainey opened the scoring after 10 minutes when flanker Harbinson tidied up at the back of a scrum to allow prop O’Kane to force his way over.Five minutes later,scrum-half Sciascia broke down the narrow side to send former Limavady wing Peter Wilson in with an exquisite offload.Hooker Heaney converted with a fine kick.They almost struck again when Sciascia sent skipper Hawe storming up the line into the visitors’ 22′,but the move broke down with the city side struggling to get cover across.
As the game progressed,the Rainey scrum,with loose-head Mc Dowell happily back in action after missing all of last season,gained a clear upper hand and when out-half Martin found a gap in the centre,quick ruck ball enabled Sciascia to dummy his way through for a try at the posts.Martin converted.More magic from Sciascia sent Wilson away for his kick ahead to force a 5 metre scrum,but Academy managed to hold out.
A chance was lost when O’Kane delayed his pass to Wilson and Academy had another escape when,from a quick line-out,Murray burst upfield,but couldn’t link with his support.Second-row Stewart was prominent as Rainey continued to call the tune and Mc Dowell was held up after taking a short pass from O’Kane.But a controlled 5 metre scrum enabled No.8 Mc Kernan to claim a pushover try.In the last minute,full-back Clark made ground on the right before play was switched acrossfield for O’Kane to cross beneath the posts and add the points.Final score 31-0.
On Saturday,Rainey travel to Fivemiletown for the annual Derek Lee Memorial fixture ( 2.30 p.m. ).The playing surface at The Cran has few equals and the Towns’ Cup holders always give a good account of themselves.This game is preceded by a 2nd XV match ( 1.00 p.m. )
