Scorers: Devlin(1*Try), McErlain(1*Try), McKenna(1*Try), G.Hall(1*Try), Kearns(3*Conv)
Photos
Rainey II played some fantastic free-flowing rugby as they eased to a 26-5 bonus point win over Dungannon II at Hatrick Park, an unanswered four-try onslaught in the first half seeing them home. Although events conspired to keep them from adding to their total in the second-half, there was never any doubt as to how the match would finish.
The game was barely underway before Dungannon found themselves under their own sticks. The visiting fullback fumbled what looked to be a straightforward catch and clear in his 22' and was easily dispossessed by fullback Devlin who crossed the line for the simplest of scores.
Dungannon responded well from the restart, attacking with speed and purpose, but as was to be the case for most of the afternoon, the Rainey defence was outstanding. They were well organised and patient, putting in one massive hit after another, with captain O'Neill leading by example on numerous occasions.
Eventually, they pushed the visitors back and forced a 5m lineout. Lock N.Hastings rose to the occasion, and after a couple of drives for the line, prop McErlain drove and spun over for Rainey's second. The conversion by out-half Kearns, was the first of his three on the day.
An acrobatic catch and drive from flanker B.Hall from the restart meant Rainey were soon back on the attack. A few minutes later, winger Scullion released O'Neill into space and he stormed down the left wing into the 22' to the delight of the home support. A couple of phases later, No8 McKenna dived over despite the attentions of several Dungannon defenders.
Dungannon then had their strongest period of attacking play, keeping Rainey pinned in and around their own 22' for the remainder of the half. With the ref announcing a Dungannon scrum 15m out would be the final play before the break, Rainey once more defended aggressively and forced a turnover. Kearns, in the shadow of the home-side posts, floated a long pass out to J. Hastings on the right wing and he set off downfield before feeding inside on the half-way line to supporting centre G.Hall. With two defenders still to beat, Hall shimmied right, then left, before delivering a vicious hand-off and diving over to the right of the posts.
As Rainey took the restart, the boisterous home crowd were expecting the floodgates to open, but clearly Dungannon hadn't read the script. They attacked strongly spending a long time in the Rainey 22', but although Rainey were reduced to 14 men when prop Rutledge saw yellow for a high tackle, they were once more unable to breach the Rainey defence.
The home side then forced play to the other end, but a combination of good defence, injuries and poor communication let the chance slip away. Play continued to swing from end to end, but a succession of penalties awarded against them contrived to prevent Rainey adding to their total. Dungannon finally crossed the Rainey whitewash for an unconverted consolation try to bring this entertaining match to a close.
Team: S.Rutledge, D.O'Neill (c), D,McErlain, A.Doherty, N.Hastings, E.Shaw, J.McKenna, B.Hall, S.Campbell, R.Kearns, J.Hastings, G.Hall, A.Browne, N.Scullion, C.Devlin
Subs: R.Sanderson, T.Andrews, C.Smyth