1st XV Match Reports
RAINEY 27 - 19 QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
SONI Ulster Premiership Section 1 14th September 2019
Scorers: McMurray(1*Try), Forwards(1*Pen Try), McCauley(1*Try), Bloomfield(1*Try), Magrath(1*Conv, 1*Pen)
After cruising to a 22-0 lead against Queen's University at Hatrick Park, Rainey Old Boys took the foot off the pedal in the closing minutes and almost paid the penalty. As they proceeded to take a couple of dubious options and lose ball in contact after getting isolated, the students made the most of their chance to move it wide and pick up three tries in the last ten minutes. A nervous Rainey side managed to force a scrum penalty in added time and, after appearing to choose to take the points on offer, out-half Magrath spotted the opportunity to take a tap and head for the corner to send half-back partner Bloomfield over for a bonus point. The final whistle sounded after the conversion attempt, leaving Rainey relieved, but deserving winners 27-19.
RAINEY 29 - 16 BALLYNAHINCH
SONI Ulster League Section A 31st August 2019
Scorers: Hall(1*Try), McIntosh(1*Try) Bloomfield(1*Try), McCusker(1*Try), Connolly(3*Conv, 1*Pen)
RAINEY 36 - 28 DROMORE
Friendly 24th August 2019
Scorers: Connolly(2*Try), Donaghy(1*Try), Jeffers(1*Try), Bloomfield(1*Try), Magrath(1*Pen, 4*Conv)
Photos
After trailing 21-7 to visitors Dromore at half-time, Rainey Old Boys ran in four tries in the final quarter as the Barban Hill side began to wilt in the warm sunshine, to end up 36-28 winners. While pleased to turn things around, Rainey know that there is a lot of work to be done in the next few weeks before the AIL campaign starts. Ulster's top club, Ballynahinch come to Hatrick Park on Saturday (2:30 p.m. kick-off ) when the SONI Ulster Premiership gets under way. Tough games against Queen's and Ballymena and a Cup quarter-final will fully test them in September.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE 21-35 RAINEY
Ulster Bank AIL 2B Promotion Final 27th April 2019
Scorers: Quinn(1*Try), Roberts(1*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), McSwiggan(1*Try), Magrath(1*Try, 4*Conv), Barker(1*Conv)
It has been a difficult season for Rainey Old Boys, but it had a happy ending on Saturday at Stradbrook, south Dublin, where they beat Blackrock College 35-21 before a big crowd in the Play-off final. Next season will be a huge challenge as they face several big clubs who have slipped down from a higher level. The game turned out to be a real cliffhanger after a clinical Rainey side had led 28-7 ten minutes into the second half. Blackrock hit back with two converted tries making extra time a strong possibility, but Rainey pulled out all the stops to weather the storm, prop Aidan McSwiggan clinching it with a last minute try at the posts.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS 10 - 19 RAINEY
Ulster Bank AIL 16th February 2019
Scorers: McGrath(2*Try), Quinn(1*Try), McLean(2*Conv)
A severely depleted Rainey Old Boys side banked a priceless four points when they defeated Belfast Harlequins 19-10 at Deramore.The city side were on a roll, having beaten Skerries and Corinthians away from home, so they were in with a real shout of beating the Old Boys here, but Rainey's clinical finishing enabled them to build up a 19-0 interval lead which they never looked like losing.
DUNGANNON 10 - 20 RAINEY
SONI Ulster Premiership 29th December 2018
Scorers: Mulholland(1*Try), Fitzsimons(1*Try), J.McCusker(2*Try)
The final day of the SONI Ulster Premiership League saw Division 2 winners Rainey Old Boys in action against Dungannon at Stevenson Park. It turned out to be a low key affair, with Rainey banking a try scoring bonus point in a 20-10 victory.
Rainey were without several regulars, some unavailable and others rested with a tough Senior Cup semi-final at Armagh coming up,b ut they always looked as if they could move up a gear against a Dungannon side which showed commendable spirit, committing forwards to the breakdown to enjoy territorial advantage for much of the game and stay in the picture.