University of Ulster 2nd XV have received more than their fair share of criticism in recent weeks after an indifferent start to the season so an away trip to Rainey 4’s seemed an unlikely place to show their critics the error of their thoughts.
However, UUC took the game to Rainey in the first half and quickly chalked up 10 points with a series of integrated moves between forwards and backs allowed Nick Wright UUC captain and winger over in the corner twice within 25mins of play. Conversion was missed by Out Half Tommy McLaughlin on both Occasions.
Nonetheless the pace of the game didn’t stop the Rainey attack as they came back hard at the students and off the back of a planned move from the scrum and like a bat out of hell the Rainey 14 smashed in at the corner. Conversion Missed.
The uni lads then put themselves in bother 5 mins later with some very slack tackling allowing Rainey forwards to crash over in the same corner for another Try, Conversion Kicked 10 – 12 to Rainey.
Then, just before the break, the referee sent Tommy off the pitch for 10mins for talking back over a decision which baffled Rainey as much as the uni lads. Rainey’s thunderous winger came on the outside of the uni defensive line with only the Uni Full Back Aaron Armstrong to beat, as Aaron led the defensive turn around with a booming tackle into touch! This encouraged the Uni defence to tighten up and you could quite clearly see every man putting in that extra effort with only 14 men on the pitch, during the sin binning Rainey rarely threatened and, when they did, the UUC 2’s defence drew an imaginary line on the ground and allowed no-one to pass.
Tommy returned to the pitch 5 Mins after half time and within minutes of his return the forwards stepped the pace of the game up another notch, and rucked and mauled Rainey 50 metres up the pitch too allow number 8 Ricky Boyd to crash over beside the sticks aided by his mobile and committed pack. Conversion Missed by Nick Wright.
Straight from the kick off the university team never took the pressure off, and from a series of excellent rucking and good running and support lines from centres Nigel Irwin and Nathan McCall created space which allowed man of the match Tommy to show his strength and take on Rainey’s defence and cross the white wash. Conversion claimed by Second Row Liam O’Discin
The win, which shows just what this side can do when they perform to their potential, they can take pride that 1 to 16 played well and this takes UUC 2’s up to 7th place in the League and they enter the McCambley Cup campaign in good spirits. And an air of expectation when they travel to Inishowen 2’s next week.
Final Score
Rainey 4’s 12, UUC 2’s 22
