Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 1 28 August 2021
Scorers: N.Hastings(1*Try), McLean(1*Conv)
Photos

After a long 11 months without rugby, a new era began for Rainey Old Boys under new Head Coach Ian McKinley with an away fixture to AIL 1A side, Ballynahinch. In beautiful conditions, a young Rainey side were faced with a tough afternoon at Ballymacaran Park as the hosts fielded an experienced side with several ex-Ulster and Academy players at their disposal.

In perfect conditions, both sides were keen to keep the ball in hand, and Rainey’s committed defence meant the early exchanges were tightly contested.

Rainey held their own in the opening minutes, with Rainey’s Andrew Nevin marking his 1st XV debut, providing very solid scrummaging against Ulster prop Kyle McCall.

However, it was Hinch who struck first in the 12th minute from an individual try crashing over from short range. This would prove the only score of the first half as Rainey’s defence remained uncompromising with some excellent individual contributions from man of the match Josh McAuley and Daniel O’Neill stopping the attack at source. Despite the hosts largely controlling possession, young Rainey scrum half Rory MacGinty kept the high tempo of Rainey attack allowing wingers Andrew Donaghy and Kane McIlroy to pressurise the Hinch full back. Rainey were rewarded with a 50m penalty late in the first half which Rainey’s number 15 McLean narrowly pulled to the left.

Rainey’s youthful back row combination of Neal and Sebastian Hastings worked tirelessly following in the footsteps of their uncles before. Daniel O’Neill was instrumental in stemming the Ballynahinch attack with two turnovers before a blood injury allowed 18-year-old Ulster Academy hooker Ben McCulloch to take his place, impressing with some strong runs. The half ended with players visibly tiring following a fast and competitive game played in very warm conditions.

Both sides made starting changes for the second half allowing debutants Adam Currie and Lee Montgomery to take their positions in the pack. The home side started strongly pressuring the set scrum and changing attacking tactics. The Rainey defence had proved resolute when faced with ball carrying forwards, and Ballynahinch began to chip the ball behind the defensive line. This was rewarded with a try following a chase to the line by the Hinch number 13. A quick break from the scrum by the number 8 brought another try minutes later. Lee Murphy replaced wing Donaghy who was injured in a try saving tackle.

To Rainey’s credit, the scoreline of 21-0 remained unchanged for the next 27 minutes as McMurray produced a captain’s performance together with the return of Fintan Quinn and the massive presence of Daniel McIlroy. This boosted the Rainey attack as more phases were put together, Martin Connolly and Andrew Brown linked to cut through the Hinch backline. From an attacking lineout, Deaglan McErlean charged through the hosts pack and a quick pick up and drive from the industrious Neal Hastings marked Rainey’s first score converted by Scott McLean to leave 14 points between the sides with 3 minutes to play.

Ballynahinch’s heavier pack and vastly experienced replacements took their toll and scored two tries in the final minutes of the game, slightly flattering the scoreline. Ian McKinley and his coaching team can take a lot of positives from this whole-hearted performance from a young Rainey side whose average age was 22. Rainey now prepare for an away fixture at Queen’s this Saturday, 4th September.