SONI Ulster Premiership Section 1 14th September 2019
Scorers: McMurray(1*Try), Forwards(1*Pen Try), McCauley(1*Try), Bloomfield(1*Try), Magrath(1*Conv, 1*Pen)
After cruising to a 22-0 lead against Queen's University at Hatrick Park, Rainey Old Boys took the foot off the pedal in the closing minutes and almost paid the penalty. As they proceeded to take a couple of dubious options and lose ball in contact after getting isolated, the students made the most of their chance to move it wide and pick up three tries in the last ten minutes. A nervous Rainey side managed to force a scrum penalty in added time and, after appearing to choose to take the points on offer, out-half Magrath spotted the opportunity to take a tap and head for the corner to send half-back partner Bloomfield over for a bonus point. The final whistle sounded after the conversion attempt, leaving Rainey relieved, but deserving winners 27-19.
In ideal conditions, Rainey welcomed back Damian McMurray and introduced a couple of new faces for this SONI Ulster Premiership Section 1 encounter. Big No8 Conor Brockschmidt settled in right away as Rainey soon gained a firm grip up front. They gave the Queen's eight a torrid time in the scrum, won some clean, quick ball at the tail and were effective at the breakdown. And when called on, the backs defensive line speed kept a very useful looking Queen's threequarter line in check.
With several lineout options, Rainey spent most of the first half in enemy territory and it came as no great surprise when they were awarded a penalty try. Magrath hooked a shot at goal past the post, but, before the break, forward pressure allowed Bloomfield to send centre McMurray in at the posts, leaving Rainey 14-0 ahead.
Rainey continued to make running substitutions to give squad members some game time and continued to call the shots. Both Bloomfield and Magrath made promising breaks, but poor ball retention was to frustrate them on a number of occasions before more scrum pressure led to Magrath landing an easy penalty. Bloomfield made another lovely little break as the final quarter saw the visitors denied a score when Andrew Donaghy brought off a brilliant saving tackle near the posts. Hooker Roberts was again prominent in support when Rainey made good ground and when the move broke down, they managed to block the clearance for flanker McAuley to go clear for a try.
A yellow card for prop Quinn started off a dramatic turn around in the last ten minutes. As Rainey switched off totally, Queen's were full of running and their little Fijian winger was able to lead them a merry dance. With two minutes remaining, a third Queen's try narrowed the deficit to three points, causing Rainey to pull out all the stops.
TEAM : H.Evans, M.Mulholland, D.McMurray, A.Donaghy, N.Jeffers, A.Magrath, J.Bloomfield, F.Quinn, B.Roberts, A.McSwiggan, R.McCusker, J.McCusker, J.McAuley, J.Bresland, C.Brockschmidt. REPLACEMENTS : J.McIntosh, J.Lloyd-Evans, D.McElroy, C.Donaghy.
