Ulster Bank AIL 16th February 2019
Scorers: McGrath(2*Try), Quinn(1*Try), McLean(2*Conv)
A severely depleted Rainey Old Boys side banked a priceless four points when they defeated Belfast Harlequins 19-10 at Deramore.The city side were on a roll, having beaten Skerries and Corinthians away from home, so they were in with a real shout of beating the Old Boys here, but Rainey's clinical finishing enabled them to build up a 19-0 interval lead which they never looked like losing.
The return of captain Paul Pritchard was an unexpected boost for Rainey who had to play Mattie Millar in the second row and,when No.8 Geoyge Fritz had to retire with a groin problem,Lee Bicker,a dual status player with Portadown,entered the fray to give a good account of himself.
Renowned backs coach Terry McMaster cast an eye over the Rainey squad in midweek and his words of wisdom had an early impact with out-half Andy Magrath finding a gap to open the scoring, Scott McLean adding the points. Magrath struck again and Rainey were on cloud nine when Oisin Quinn stretched out to score beneath the posts, leaving them with a healthy lead.
The error count rose considerably after the break and Rainey will probably feel that a bonus point was there for the taking, but winning the game was, on this occasion, what really counted. Quins landed a penalty to get on the scoreboard, but never threatened to claw their way back into the game. They added a late try, but it was too little too late. Outstanding for Rainey was South African hooker Bradley Roberts who, after a year out if the game, is now back to his best.
Team: S. McLean, A Doneghy, O Quinn, D McMurray, C Fitzsimons, A McGrath, J Bloomfield, A McSwiggan, B Roberts, K Doneghy, M Millar, J McCusker, A Harbinson, P.Pritchard, G.Fritz
Replacements: F Quinn, M Mulholland, L Bicker, J Macintosh