SONI Ulster Premiership 17th December 2016
Scorers: Andrew(1*Try), McMurray(1*Try), McLean(2*Conv)
Rainey Old Boys can thank their lucky stars that the AIL does not resume until January 21. With many of their senior squad nursing injuries, two players in Wales with Ulster "A" and others resting for personal reasons, it was, more or less, a Second XV which faced Malone in a SONI Ulster Premiership game at Hatrick Park. Not surprisingly, the Ulster Bank League Division 2A side took a bonus point from a facile 43-14 victory. Rainey have two more Ulster League fixtures over the festive season and will be praying that their absentees are soon back in action to get some game time in before the Bruff game. Unless the attitude is right, they cannot expect to stay at the top of the table.
Former Rainey favourite Michael Shiels lined out at No8 for the Gibson Road team, who also made a few changes to their usual selection. Rainey paid the penalty for making a succession of mistakes in the opening exchanges to trail 12-0 after only thirteen minutes. They came more into the picture, with debutant wing Philip McCusker cutting infield to allow his support to take it on. But a bad lineout cost them when Malone took full advantage to score at the other end. Rainey's best chance came when they moved it wide on their 22' for centre Andrew to make a fine break and send wing Donaghy down the touchline. But, when tackled ten yards short, his pass inside to the supporting McLean did not find its target.
Rainey enjoyed another good little spell, but Malone again broke out in numbers to register a try which gave them a healthy 26-0 half-time lead. To their credit, Rainey played some good rugby after the break to grab tries from Ricky Andrew and Jody McMurray, but continued to give the ball away near the Malone line and watch the Cregagh Road men swoop to the opposite end three times.
A big plus that Rainey can take from this outing is the performance of Philip McCusker. After only a handful of games at adult level on the wing to gain some experience, he did enough to suggest that it will not be long before he is a genuine contender for a place in the side. Three lovely breaks that he made shows that he has a natural flair for the game. What his best position would be remains to be seen.