Provincial Regional North 16th September 2023
Scorers: J.McMurray(1*Try, 1*Conv), Rutledge(1*Try), Tuff(1*Try), D.McMurray(1*Try),DD.McMurray(1*Conv)
Rainey III created a little bit of club history last Saturday when three generations of the McMurray family took to the pitch to face Limavady II. DD McMurray came off the bench to join sons Jody and Damien, and grandson Shea, as the 3s enjoyed a 0-24 bonus point victory at the John Hunter Grounds, with the McMurrays contributing 14 points to the total.
Rainey opened strongly and were soon on the scoreboard when No8 J.McMurray forced his way over for an unconverted try from a pickup at the base of a 5m scrum. Another infringement by the home side saw Rainey kick for the corner. A successful catch and maul saw club chairman and prop S.Rutledge cross the whitewash for Rainey’s second, but unfortunately the conversion attempt was off-target once more.
Rainey were now well in control, with the forwards linking well to take the game to Limavady. A lively break by openside flanker McCullagh almost saw him breach the home defence, but a perfect offload sent his blindside compatriot Tuff over for Rainey’s third and J.McMurray added the extras to leave Rainey well in control.
It wasn’t to last however, as they ended the half defending fiercely having been reduced to 12 men, as first lock Mulholland and then McCullagh got yellow cards for high tackles and out-half McKendry got a red for the same offence. Almost unbelievably, Limavady were unable to use this numerical advantage. Even with 3-man overlaps they repeatedly dropped the ball and ultimately failed to trouble the scoreboard as the half ended.
The start of the second half was largely uneventful, but when Limavady were reduced to 14, Rainey seized their opportunity. Working their way downfield, they went through multiple phases until eventually centre D.McMurray broke clear out wide and ran around to score between the sticks. His father, DD McMurray, duly slotted the conversion to general acclimation.
Rainey finished strongly as the game drew to a close, only a high tackle on winger Bentley stopping him from adding to the tally on a memorable occasion.
Team: S.Rutledge, M.Lee, D.Devlin, S.McMurray, H.Mulholland, M.McCullough, R.Tuff(Capt), J.McMurray, P.Smyth, R.McKendry, S.Bentley, M.Feathers, D.McMurray, R.Murray, A.Flynn
Subs: S.McQuillan, D.O’Kane, K.Herron, DD.McMurray
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