SONI Premiership 8th September 2018
Scorers: Stirling(1*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), McLean(1*Try, 2*Conv, 1*Pen), McMurray(1*Try)
After a traumatic spell which saw them demoted at the end of last season, City of Derry started their SONI Ulster Premiership campaign with a win at home to Bangor, but, despite competing well and moving the ball around smartly at times, they were not strong enough to contain an impressive young Rainey Old Boys side which scored four tries in a 27-8 victory. While some of their bigger names have yet to take the field, coach John Andrews has confidence in his maturing young fringe players who are picking up valuable experience when given the chance.
Conditions at Hatrick Park were just about perfect and Rainey wasted no time in opening the scoring. After three minutes, right-wing Nicky Stirling took a fine pass out wide from McLean to go through. From the restart, Rainey broke out of their 22' in style, but conceded a silly penalty for not releasing. The unfortunate Stirling's first game of the season came to an early end when he had to retire with a leg injury after 20 minutes. Derry looked lively on occasions, but some excellent tackling from Rainey kept them at bay and, after a series of rucks, hooker Daniel O'Neill plunged over from close range with McLean adding the points. Bang on half-time, a flowing Rainey move down the right and then acrossfield looked sure to extend their lead, but they were denied at the corner flag.
The game was as good as over within a minute of the restart when Rainey created space on the left for McLean to exchange passes with Lloyd-Evans and go round behind the posts for a very good try. Derry continued to put the effort in, but could make little impact and, from a scrum in the perfect attacking position, Rainey centre McMurray went through for a try to make it 24-3. Derry finally made the breakthrough after 67 minutes, but the reliable McLean tapped over a penalty to complete the scoring. A midfield break by No8 Michael McCusker took them well into the Derry half before a deliberate knock-on deprived them of a possible score and in time added, a slick back move had Derry defending desperately in the corner.
TEAM: A.Moran, N.Stirling, D.McMurray, A.Brown, M.Mulholland, S.McLean, J.Lloyd-Evans, S.Rutledge, D.O'Neill, K.Donaghy, R.McCusker, J.McCusker, M.Miller, M.McCusker, A.Harbinson.
REPLACEMENTS: J.Bloomfield, E.Shaw, R.Sanderson, M.Nevin, F.Quinn.
