SONI Premiership Division 2 22nd September 2018
Scorers: Rutledge(1*Try), M.McCusker(2*Try), Donaghy(1*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), McLean(4*Conv)
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Following three wins in the Ulster League and a victory in the Senior Cup, Rainey Old Boys are ready for the start of the AIL on Saturday. Coach John Andrews has used these games to have a good look at his young squad and made further changes with the next game in mind. With Damien McMurray likely to miss several games due to work commitments, he selected the pairing of Andy Magrath and Conor Fitzsimons in the centre. The Wellington U20 player did enough to suggest that he could play a key role in the side. And while a bulging disc continues to trouble captain Paul Pritchard, Ulster U20 captain Charlie Clarke was handed a debut at openside. He had a fine game and is sure to challenge for a place in the side. Rainey's five tries all came from the pack, but their scrummage played second fiddle to Lewis Stevenson's big Bangor eight for much of the contest and the penalty count against them was far too high. Rainey won 33-26, but led 33-14 with eight minutes remaining. For the second week running, they switched off after emptying their bench, something they cannot afford to do against better opposition.
On a lovely afternoon for rugby, Rainey took some time to settle as they took a couple of wrong options and kicked away good ball, but loose-head Steven Rutledge stretched out to give them the lead after nine minutes. Bangor replied with a beautifully crafted try from deep. Moving the ball around impressively, Rainey had the opposition at full stretch and regained the lead after 24 minutes. Rutledge put them in a great position with a driving burst into the 22', from where play moved wide to wing Mulholland. The forwards joined in to take it on, with No8 Michael McCusker rolling over for a converted try. Young New Zealander Fitzsimons then looked set to score beneath the posts, but lost possession when he was hit by three defenders.
Rainey's big ball carriers continued to put them on the front foot, but their discipline and dogged Bangor defence thwarted them until prop Donaghy dived over a ruck on the stroke of half-time for a converted try and a 19-7 lead.
In a lively start to the second half, a crash tackle by replacement prop Quinn in midfield halted a Bangor counter. Out-half McLean nearly got away when Fitzsimons seized a loose ball on the ground, but hooker Daniel O'Neill picked up a simple score when a penalty to the corner gave Rainey a catch and drive opportunity. McLean converted from the touchline. Scrum-half Bloomfield did well to prevent a Bangor try, but a minute later, they scored from a scrum near the posts. Michael McCusker surged through for his second try to keep his side well clear,b ut two Bangor tries in quick succession altered the plcture. Rainey had stopped playing at this stage and nearly threw away two points.
TEAM: M.O'Neill, O.Quinn, C.Fitzsimons, A.Magrath, M.Mulholland, S.McLean, J.Bloomfield, S.Rutledge, D.O'Neill, K.Donaghy, R.McCusker, J.McCusker, T.Barker, M.McCusker, C.Clarke.