UBL 5th November 2016
Scorers: Corrigan(1*Try), Laidler(1*Conv, 2*Pen)
After seeing their brilliant start to the season end in controversy at Sligo last week, Rainey Old Boys hit rock bottom when second placed Navan beat them 17-13 at Hatrick Park. Such was the Meath men's dominance, that they should have won by a much greater margin. It remains a mystery how Rainey picked up a losing bonus point and could even have snatched a lucky winner in time added on. On a brighter note, they still top Division 2C by two points. But, with injuries and unavailability now beginning to bite and a long trip to Co Offaly to play third placed Tullamore this week, the coaching staff have plenty to work on between now and then.
Home hopes were dealt a major blow when Ricky Andrew was a late withdrawal with food poisoning. His attacking threat and on-field coaching were clearly missed. There was little to entertain the crowd on a cold,blustery afternoon as out-half Laidler opened the scoring and added a second penalty after ten minutes when forwards Fritz and Barker led drives towards the posts. But Navan looked menacing and when scrum-half Donaghy had a box kick charged down, it took great work from full-back Martin and flanker Harbinson to save Rainey.
The defensive set-up of Rainey's midfield, however,was soon exposed when a big gap opened to allow centre Van Der Vyver to run some 70 yards before offloading in the tackle for flanker Hand to score. Rainey now trailed, having conceded a close-range penalty just beforehand.
Some better forward play took Rainey into a strong field position, but ball retention let them down. But on 26 minutes, a great shove out of the blue enabled them to drive Navan off their own ball and permit No.8 Corrigan to go in beside the posts. The home fans naturally thought that their side would kick on from there, but their porous defence was again found wanting. Navan twice looked sure to score and on several occasions opted for the corner instead of going for the posts. Rainey's lineout men did well to spoil many of their throws, but Rainey, with the breeze behind them, should have cleared their lines better.
Navan's big, uncompromising forwards continued to dictate after the break and it took some good Rainey tackling to contain them. Martin again came to Rainey's rescue, but two penalties edged Navan 14-13 ahead. Rainey still had plenty of time to get going, but their sporadic forays over halfway were shortlived. A quickly taken penalty in midfield took Navan right to the home line, where the ball was spilled forward. A Navan drop goal from 35 yards on 80 minutes made Rainey's task even harder as they struggled on with several players operating in strange positions due to injuries.
TEAM : G.Martin, S.Nelson, J.McMurray, J.Burgess, C.Moran, C.Laidler, A.Donaghy, K.Donaghy, G.Fritz, T.O'Hagan, T.Barker, R.McCusker, A.Harbinson, D.Corrigan, J.Lees.
REPLACEMENTS : S.Rutledge, M.McCusker, J.McCusker, A.McSwiggan, S.McLean.