Ulster Bank All ireland League 25th November 2017
Scorers: Pritchard(1*Try), Magrath(1*Try, 2*Conv, 3*Pen)
While leaders Old Crescent were needing a late penalty to beat Belfast Harlequins at Deramore, Rainey Old Boys had to settle for four points from their 23-8 victory over Skerries at Hatrick Park. The North Dublin side proved to be a tough nut to crack. After making an impressive start to the campaign, they have slipped down the table, but their tackling was so good that a winning bonus point was never a consideration in a game which died the death in the last quarter. With Lamberton, Quinn and Harbinson nursing minor injuries, Rainey were able to introduce Callum Smyth and Ciaran Devlin to senior rugby, in what was still a very strong squad.
On a bright, but cold late autumn afternoon, the wind dropped just before kick-off, leaving conditions good for an open game, but the fare served up was disappointing in comparison to the entertainment provided for the crowd in previous home matches. Skerries had the better of the early exchanges, taking a ninth minute lead with a penalty, before Rainey came more into it with out-half Magrath putting them in some good field positions. After 15 minutes, O'Hagan and John McCusker took them forward for Magrath to level matters, but, two minutes later, a well-worked try put the visitors back in front.
Magrath narrowed the deficit as Rainey warmed to the task and, on 26 minutes, the backs and forwards combined well down the right, with the pack finally edging towards the posts for Pritchard to get the touchdown. Magrath converted. Rainey nearly struck again when they opened it from their own 22' for wing Sterling to kick ahead, only to be denied by a covering player. Getting on top in the tight, they took a ball against the head for centre Donaghy to have a go round the narrow side. From the ensuing lineout, the pack drove over, but control was lacking from the five metre scrum.
A succession of unforced errors held them to a 13-8 half-time lead. Skerries showed that they could play when they countered in style, but for the next half hour it was all Rainey. Hooker Roberts led a promising charge into the 22', but accuracy was just not there on the day. Replacements were brought on and off as they strove to put some daylight between them and the opposition and a Magrath penalty enabled them to breathe a little easier.
With four minutes left on the clock and some stoppage time guaranteed, Rainey finally scored a second try. Forwards McMurray and Stewart drove towards the corner with support arriving and when the ball was moved, Magrath checked inside to score at the posts. The referee losing one of his boots was probably the highlight of a scrappy last few minutes. Play became very loose with the final whistle coming as a welcome release.
TEAM : M.O'Neill, N.Sterling, A.Donaghy, J.McIlroy, D.McMurray, A.Magrath, J.Bloomfield, K.Donaghy, B.Roberts, T.O'Hagan, R.McCusker, J.McCusker, T.Barker, P.Pritchard, J.McMurray.
REPLACEMENTS : P.Stewart, C.Devlin, C.Smyth, M.McCusker, S.Rutledge.