Provincial League: Section 1 17th November 2016

Scorers:  McSwiggan(2*Try), McLean(1*Conv)

In Section 1 of the Provincial League, Dungannon II beat Rainey II by 26 points to 12 at an arctic Stevenson Park last Thursday night.   Conditions were good for rugby for part of the game, but a blizzard of fine snow made it an ordeal for the participants.  There was little between the sides, but Dungannon edged it by taking better options when chances cropped up.

Young prop McSwiggan put Rainey in front with an early try, converted by McLean, but Dungannon were soon on terms.  Rainey missed a clear chance when they secured quick ball following a handling error, but went the wrong way with a big overlap on the right.  Dungannon did not make the same mistake when a similar opening came along.  On half-time, Rainey were held up, but could not make the position pay.

Following a good build up, Rainey had what looked like a perfectly good try ruled out for a forward pass before McSwiggan again found a way over from a lineout and maul.  A well-executed pick and go try put Dungannon back in front on 63 minutes and when a Rainey move broke down on the right wing, a Dungannon player raced unopposed 50 yards for the winner.  Rainey finished well, taking play upfield from their 22' with strong runs and good offloading from forwards Henry and Higgins.  A penalty to the corner and pressure forced Dungannon to carry over, but from the ideal attacking position, they failed to convert possession into points.