Ulster Bank AIL 24th March 2018
Scorers: Barker(1*Try), McMurray(1*Try), R.McCusker(1*Try), Magrath(1*Pen, 3*Conv), Pack(1*Pen Try)
While Old Crescent were clinching the Division 2B title in Limerick, Rainey Old Boys and Navan were securing their place in the play-offs. Rainey beat Belfast Harlequins 31-21 at Hatrick Park, with Navan's home win over Barnhall taking them closer to the Kildare side. Rainey are now well placed to grab the all-important home advantage in the play-offs.
While Rainey were happy to pick up a try scoring bonus point against Harlequins, they will know that they will have to perform a lot better if they are to win promotion. Some of their injured men are back in action, but are short of match practice. The pack are not playing as a unit and their lineout play continues to disappoint. Tackling is sure to be top of the list at training over the next fortnight. The next game is a home meeting with Navan on April 7.
Conditions were perfect at Hatrick Park until kick-off time when the dark clouds rolled in and the rain arrived. By the time the rain ceased thirteen minutes later, Rainey found themselves 8-0 behind. They were pinned in their 22' from the off, slow to get the ball away when the chance presented itself and a close range penalty put the Deramore side ahead. Magrath missed a chance for Rainey when they finally crossed halfway and they should still be having nightmares about the try they conceded a few minutes later. The visitors' full-back was able to beat six would-be tacklers in a fifty yard counter into Rainey territory before a player broke unopposed from the ensuing ruck to score the easiest of tries.
Rainey, who called up Ronan McCusker to the second-row for brother John when he cried-off with back trouble, continued to struggle at the back of the lineout, but they upped the tempo to get a foothold in the game after 17 minutes. Harbinson, Bloomfield and McIlroy each had a little dart into the Quins' 22' before Bloomfield fed Barker from a ruck five yards short and there was to be no stopping the former Ulster, Glasgow and Castres man from that distance. Magrath converted and then gave Rainey the lead when Quins transgressed at a lineout. Rainey stayed in the right part of the field, but made some shocking mistakes to hand the initiative back to Quins who exerted pressure before kicking a penalty right on half-time.
Rainey introduced the first three of their replacements early in the second half, but the standard did not rise as too much good ball was kicked away. Two bizarre tries changed the picture altogether. A Quins' lineout on halfway was clearly crooked, but it was caught by Rainey No8 McMurray at the tail. He hesitated after starting to run on, but, when the whistle was not blown, he charged on and kicked ahead. And when he beat the last line of defence to the ball, he was able to stroll in for a gift try. Four minutes later, Quins were throwing the ball around in midfield, but a wayward pass was gratefully accepted by McCusker who had the legs to accept another gift. At 24-11, it was thought that Rainey would pull clear, but Quinn was yellow carded, with Harlequins kicking a close range penalty. With 15 minutes remaining, Rainey's defence was again AWOL when an opponent picked up at a ruck forty yards out to saunter through for the softest of tries.
Rainey responded as their scrummage had the Quins' eight in increasing trouble and it was this department of the game that brought them a penalty try. But they were unable to put the squeeze on and with the Quins backs proving hard to contain, Rainey were happy to hold on for the win.
Team: M.O' Neill, A.Donaghy, D.McMurray, J.McIlroy, R.Lamberton, A.Magrath, J.Bloomfield, K.Donaghy, M.Nevin, T.O'Hagan, R.McCusker, T.Barker, M.McCusker, A.Harbinson, J.McMurray.
Replacements: N.Sterling, O.Quinn, A.McSwiggan, P.Stewart, F.Quinn.