Energia Men’s Community Series Ulster Conference 1 26 September 2020
Scorers: Quinn(1*Try), McErlain(1*Try), McLean(2*Conv)
Photos

A below strength Rainey Old Boys expected a tough examination when they headed to the Palace Grounds to face Armagh on the opening day of the Ulster Senior League.  But, while Rainey played quite well in spells, Armagh simply had too much in their locker for them,romping to a 63-14 victory.

Back in the top section, having somehow slipped down two seasons ago, this Armagh side will be fancied to add this title to the Ulster Senior Cup which they won last season for the third year in a row.

On a perfect surface on a lovely afternoon, both sides were keen to keep the ball in hand.  Armagh signalled their intent almost immediately, some excellent back play carving Rainey open after just 2 mins.  A forward pass denied them a second certain try after twelve minutes, but they did not have long to wait for an inviting gap to open up before them with the Rainey defence nowhere.  Rainey hit back from the restart, gaining a foothold in the home 22' and after going through a number of phases, debutant openside Erasmus broke for the line to send supporting prop Quinn in with a neat offload.

Armagh always looked threatening on the counter and had the pace to do damage.  The Rainey pack excelled to defend their line when Armagh drove at them from a lineout and managed to force a turnover, but when the backs elected to run the ball out from their own line and made a mess of it, Armagh were gifted the easiest of tries.

Rainey enjoyed their best spell in the Armagh 22', but conceded two penalties in quick succession to find themselves under pressure again and Armagh's No8 sauntered through a lineout to end the game as a contest.  The Rainey forwards set up a stream of good ball towards half-time, but behind the scrum the spark was just not there.

With the referee regularly penalising them at the breakdown, there was little chance of a comeback.  Prop McErlain managed to dot down when the pack drove from a lineout, but it was generally one way traffic. 

Team: O'Hagan, D.O'Neill, Quinn, McElroy, R.McCusker, Roberts, Erasmus, A.Bratton, Donaghy, McLean, I.Bratton, Hall, McMurray, Stirling, O'Connor

Subs: Nevin, McErlain, Miller, M.McCusker, Nicholl, M.O'Neill