Energia AIL 2A 22nd February 2020
Scorers: D.O'Neill(1*Try), M.O'Neill(1*Try), Magrath(2*Conv, 1*Pen)
Despite beating Old Crescent 32-10 earlier in the season, Rainey Old Boys expected a difficult examination in Limerick where the Rosbrien side are an altogether different proposition. After a slow start to the season, Crescent are now on a roll and a 29-17 victory keeps them in the promotion race while Rainey drop out of the top four. For Rainey, Saturday's home clash with second-placed Cashel is a must-win game. The Old Boys were 18-15 winners of a classic encounter at Spafield in November and must find something special if they are to topple the Tipperary outfit.
Rainey had wind advantage in the first half at Rosbrien where they started quite well, but an intercept try and a penalty left them trailing by ten points by the end of the first quarter. Left-wing McDermott completed his hat-trick as a hapless Rainey struggled to get into the picture.
The penalty count against them has been hurting Rainey in recent games and it kept the scoreboard ticking over for Crescent in the second period. Playing catch-up rugby, Rainey scored tries through hooker Daniel O'Neill and full-back Michael O'Neill, with Magrath adding seven points, but the outcome was never in doubt. For the first time this season, Rainey had failed to take even one point from a fixture. While Rainey and Cashel are locking horns on Saturday, Crescent will be meeting Queen's at The Dub.