Ulster Carpets League Semi Final 4th March 2017

Scorers: McIntosh(1*Try), Kearns(1*Pen, 2*Conv), Doherty(1*Try)

Rainey Old Boys U18s’ unbeaten run this season came to an abrupt halt last Saturday, when they crashed out of the Ulster Carpets League at the semi-final stage to Virginia.  In an intensely fought game, the Magherafelt boys were their own worst enemies as they went down to a 20-17 scoreline.  At times they played some great open rugby, but in the main they were guilty of basic mistakes which ultimately cost them a place in the final.

It was Rainey who opened the scoring with a straightforward penalty from Kearns when Virginia were caught offside under pressure in their 22.  From the restart, Rainey withstood sustained pressure themselves, only to concede a penalty themselves and allow Virginia to draw level.

Constantly trying to attack with ball in hand, Rainey were guilty of over-ambition on a few occasions, with a series of long passes being knocked on, or thrown forward.  Twice they created turnovers following long periods of pressure from Virginia, only to promptly waste the chances, to the increasing frustration of the large crowd.  Having forced Virginia back into their half for a good 10 mins, a rare series of missed tackles allowed a breakout, and when the attacker was adjudged to have been obstructed, Rainey were lucky when the resultant penalty was pulled wide.

Eventually, however, the pressure Rainey were exerting had to pay off.  When flanker Mark Reid won a turnover just outside the Virginia 22, Rainey put together a great series of phases, traversing the width of the pitch three times before Prop Jack McIntosh popped up to take the final pass and power his way over for a try.  Kearns added the extras.

In the last play  of the half, Virginia caught the Rainey defence cold and created a two-man overlap.  Although the cover got across in time, a simple inside pass allowed Virginia in for their first try.  The conversion was missed, leaving Rainey two points up at half-time.

The second half continued at the same hectic pace as the first, with both sides playing good rugby, but again, Rainey were guilty of multiple silly mistakes as they continually gave away good field position.  They were then caught napping following a scrum, when the Virginia outside centre ran a great line down the middle of the park and carved open the Rainey defence.  The ball was fed wide to the left wing,  who sprinted the remaining twenty yards to get in at the corner.  Again Virginia were unsuccessful with the conversion, but now their confidence was high as Rainey’s dipped.

A great run from his own 22 by the Virginia second row was only stopped by a superb covering tackle from winger Padraig Totten, but a series of pick and goes kept the pressure on, before their flanker cut through two tackles to score to the right of the posts.  The conversion was good.

Even though Rainey were now ten points down, the drama was far from over.  They camped in their opponents half, refusing to let them out, then following a steal at a lineout, fullback Nathan Scullion showed great footwork as he danced through six tackles before feeding the ball to flanker Rory Doherty who dove in under the posts.  Kearns converted and the deficit was now three points.

With just under ten minutes to go, Rainey went looking for the winner.  They won a penalty to tie up the game, but it was pushed wide, and despite some last minute pressure Virginia were able to claim the victory.

From the perspective of a neutral observer, it was a great match with plenty of drama and excitement, the result going right to the wire.  However, having tasted defeat for the first time this season, Rainey will know that it was one they let slip away.  With a cup run to come and the Nutty Krust competition in full swing there is still lots to play for, but a greater sense of focus and commitment will be required from the entire squad if they are to get to the remaining finals.