U20s Match Reports
U20 RAINEY VS CITY OF DERRY
U20 Friendly 19th December 2018
Photos
The City of Derry club have been making a big effort to boost their underage regime and introduce more young players to the game. They sent an Under 20 team down to Rainey in midweek before Christmas for a friendly fixture and while they fought well throughout, Rainey were just too good for them, winning 52-0. Several of the Rainey side have sampled AIL rugby and were simply too big for the visitors up front. The likes of Jack McIntosh and Calum Smyth, a try scorer on his return from injury, Neal Hastings and Peter Browne stood out in the pack, while half-backs Ben McCloskey and Gareth Hall combined well to bring their threequarters into the plcture at every opportunity.
U20 RAINEY 40 - 7 LIMAVADY
U20 Friendly 3rd January 2018
Scorers: Lynch(1*Try), Andrews(1*Try), Hall(1*Try), McLean(1*Try, 5*Conv), Lloyd-Evans(2*Try)
Photos
U20 RAINEY 57 - 0 CITY OF DERRY
U20 Friendly 8th November 2017
Scorers: Andrews(3*Try), Hastings(1*Try), Lawrence(1*Try), L.Quinn(1*Try), Mulholland(1*Try), Smyth(1*Try), Lloyd-Evans(1*Try), McLean(5*Conv)
On yet another wet Wednesday night, Rainey OB U20s entertained City of Derry in the latest monthly game, running out eventual 57 – 0 winners. Fielding their strongest squad to-date, Rainey took a while to gel after a quick opening score, but when they did, the results were devastating. Although Derry, to their credit, refused to give up, they had no answer to the power and skill of the Magherafelt men.
Rainey started in ominous form, the front row of McSwiggan, Gordon and Quinn providing a great platform for a series of driving scrums, before the backs were released. After a couple of phases, No8 Hastings crossed the line despite the attentions of three defenders. Fullback McLean, who was in fantastic kicking form, added the extras from out wide.
U20 RAINEY 21 - 21 COLERAINE
Friendly 4th October 2017
Scorers: Friel(1*Try), McCann(1*Try), Lloyd-Evans(1*Try, 3*Conv)
In horrendous weather conditions, Rainey and Coleraine U20s fought out a hard-earned 21-21 draw under the floodlights at Hatrick Park. With the exuberance of youth, they tried to play open, running rugby as the rain poured down, and many of the old stagers on the sideline could be heard to mutter about the benefits of "10-man rugby".
Kicking off with the wind and rain to their backs, Coleraine were soon under pressure from a Rainey attack, and after solid work by the forwards, Brown ran a great line to open up the defence for Friel to score Rainey's opener out wide. Lloyd-Evans landed a great touchline conversion.
U20 BALLYMONEY 31 - 26 RAINEY
U20 Friendly 6th September 2017
Scorers: K.Lynch(1*Try), C.Lawrence(1*Try), T.Andrews(1*Try), J.Lloyd-Evans(1*Conv), (1*Pen Try)
The recently formed Rainey OB U20s had their first proper outing of the season last Wednesday, going down 31-26 to Ballymoney at Kilraughts Road. With an emphasis on expansive, running rugby by both teams, the spectators were treated to an absolute try-fest.
U20s Lose Last Gasp Thriller
The recently formed and vastly under-prepared Rainey Old Boys U20 squad had their first run-out last Wednesday night at the first blitz of the season. Incredibly, they almost came away victorious, losing by just 5-3 in the final to City of Derry thanks to a last-minute intercept try. The abundance of natural rugby talent in the Magherafelt men was emphasised by how close they came to winning, with only an hour's squad preparation the previous night.