Double Cup success for Rainey ES Rugby
Last weekend was one of the busiest and most exciting periods of the Rainey Rugby season. On Friday 22nd the ‘James Reid Building Contractor (Maghera)’ sponsored Medallion entertained Regent House in Round 3 of the Danske Bank Medallion Shield and on Saturday 23rd the ‘P Keenan Road Surfacing’ sponsored 1st XV travelled to play RS Armagh in Round 3 of the Danske Bank Ulster School’s Cup.
The Medallion played an early evening game on the 4G pitch at Meadowbank in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. The team who were missing their captain Bryn Davies went on the attack from the kick off. They planned to ‘throw the ball about’ and did this at every opportunity. The pack which contained Callum Donnelly, Daniel Clarke and Adam McCrum were winning a good supply of ball. This gave the half backs Tim Campbell and Harry Evans the chance to play the game at a high tempo. The backs broke the game line frequently with centres David Dripps and Ciaron Doyle giving their opponents a torrid time. The first try came on the back of a sweeping move started up front by Tom Hughes and Ben Barfoot and was finished off in fine style by Karl Warner. He converted his own try to give Rainey a 7 0 lead. Ciaron Doyle was then very unlucky not to get on the score sheet on two occasions. The second try came when Bryan Hall reacted quickest at the back of a lineout to crash over. Karl Warner converted to give Rainey a 14 0 advantage.
Rainey were dominating in all phases and Ulster U17 squad member Jack Bresland was creating many problems for Regent. A third try soon followed when Karl Warner demonstrated his pace to touch down. The conversion was missed and when the half time whistle sounded Rainey lead 19 0.
The second half started with Rainey getting the ball to wings Aidan MacDonald and Jonathan Drennan. Both wingers made good ground to give Rainey good attacking positions. Rainey then put the game out of sight. Gavin Currie and Rory Bradley crashed through Regent tackles and when the ball came back Karl Warner found a gap in the visiting defence to score his third try. Karl then converted to increase the lead to 26 0.
Regent then came more into the game forcing Rainey to defend. Up front Andrew Campbell, Shea McElhone and Ben Aspell made some excellent tackles to keep Regent. Rainey, however, still attacked at every attempt and a sweeping move from their own line, involving Matthew Dunlop, Callum Bolton and Anish Bedi almost resulted in a fifth score. The final whistle sounded with Rainey finishing as comfortable winners.
This was a very entertaining performance from the local boys and should give them good confidence for the next round. Rainey now travel to face Ballyclare HS in Round 4. This will be a very difficult game for the Rainey boys and one that they will have to be at their best to win.
On Saturday 23rd the ‘P Keenan Road Surfacing’ sponsored Rainey ES 1st XV travelled to play RS Armagh in Round 2 of the Danske Bank School’s Cup. Although Rainey were very capable of winning this game, this had the potential to be a ‘banana skin’. On a perfect playing surface Rainey played into a pretty strong wind. The Magherafelt boys dominated the opening exchanges but unfortunately lost Captain Andrew Brown to a ‘blood injury’. He was replaced by Richard Winder who made an immediate contribution by putting in one of his trademark ‘big hits’. Rainey came close on a few occasions but couldn’t break down a stubborn defence. Armagh at times also showed that they had not just come to defend and tested the Rainey tackling.
When Armagh were penalised mid-way through the second, Lorcan Quinn was unfortunate not to kick the penalty. The first score was to come shortly, after Andrew Hawe and Connor Stringer had done some damage up front. When Mark Mulholland was just hauled down a metre short, Anton Lupar was on hand to pick up the loose ball and crash over. Lorcan Quinn was just wide with the difficult conversion and Rainey deservedly led 5 0. But confusion at the kick-off gifted Armagh a kick at goal which they took to make it 5 3. Rainey responded positively and attacked again. From a lineout Andrew Nevin and Cameron Stewart created a fine attacking position but unfortunately as Rainey were going over the line the ball was spilled. The half time whistle sounded with Rainey leading 5 3.
The second half started with the wind behind Rainey. Lorcan Quinn and Matthew Mulholland both displayed their kicking ability by putting Rainey in good attacking positions. Even though they tried everything the elusive second try was hard to find. Frustration then set in and after a couple of pointless penalties they found themselves back in their own 22. A period of Armagh pressure resulted in a try for the home team. Their out half hit a lovely kick to give them a 10 5 lead. Rainey took some time to recover from this, finding it difficult to get ball in good attacking positions. The visitors moved the ball wide but wingers Adam Hunter and Michael Lynn were finding it difficult to get space. With about 10 minutes remaining Rainey eventually made the break through. Captain Andrew Brown broke the Armagh defensive line and was supported by Matthew Gordon. When the ball was recycled Adam Thornton, who had been one of Rainey’s top ball carriers crashed through the home defence. Close to the Armagh line, David Atkinson found Neal Hastings who spotted a gap and dived over to score. This levelled the scores at 10 10. Lorcan Quinn displayed a cool head to kick the conversion and give Rainey a 12 10 lead. Armagh threw a lot at Rainey in the final minutes without really threatening their line. The final whistle sounded with Rainey on the attack.
This was a very nervy performance from Rainey. Although they have probably played better this season they showed great character to come from behind to win. Armagh made them work hard and gave them a real test. The local boys can take many positives from this performance although they will know there will be a few things to work on before the next round.
This Saturday the Medallion play Ballyclare HS in Round 4 of the Danske Bank Medallion Shield. the game is at Ballyclare HS with a 10.30am kick off. The U13s and U14s are at home against Campbell College. The kick offs are at 10.00am and support would be greatly appreciated for all games.
On Saturday 6th February the 1st XV are away to Methodist College Belfast, in Round 3 of the Danske Bank Ulster School’s Cup. Please keep this date free so that you can come and support the 1st XV.
