Ulster Bank League 8th April 2017
Scorers: McLean(2*Pen, 1*Try, 1*Conv), J.McMurray(1*Try)
Much has changed since Rainey Old Boys beat Boyne 38-3 in late September and it was no great surprise when they struggled to win the return fixture 18-17 at Shamrock Lodge, Drogheda, on Saturday. Both sides face play-off games on April 22 and, while Boyne can take a lot of plusses from this very plucky display, Rainey will have to raise their game considerably if they are to have any hope of lowering Sligo's colours in Strandhill.
In brilliant sunshine, Rainey started well against the breeze, but missed a great chance when a clear-cut opening had been created. After seven minutes, McLean opened the scoring from close range when flanker McCusker led a surge along the touchline into the home 22'. A minute later, a penalty from a scrum handed Boyne the equaliser. Ricky Andrew caught the eye with several mazey runs in the loose and from one of these, Philip McCusker and Jody McMurray took play on to within ten yards of the line where they were awarded a penalty and a Boyne forward sin-binned. They opted for the scrum, but were to regret it as Boyne put them under pressure to clear downfield. Failure to do the basics right made it a stop-start affair and, approaching the half hour, Boyne reacted quickest to seize the loose ball and romp clear for a converted try. Rainey had not created a single chance while Boyne were a man short.
From the restart, Rainey drove forward, but lacked control, then saw an attempt at goal sail wide. They could have had the game wrapped up before then and finally scored five minutes before the break. With Barker and O'Hagan coming into it more, the pack drove forward again for full-back Quinn to send McLean in at the corner with a lovely little pass. They looked sure to score again when big winger McCusker broke through, but he was just caught by a despairing ankle-tap tackle and though he managed to regain his footing, his support was too slow to take advantage. Boyne swept downfield to be camped on the Rainey line when the whistle sounded.
Rainey should have cantered to victory in the second half, but did not appear to notice that they had a considerable breeze advantage. They preferred to keep the ball in hand and continued to get nowhere against a side which made up for their deficiencies with their workrate. Boyne always looked dangerous on the counter and it came as no great surprise when they worked a lovely try to go 17-11 up shortly after Mc Lean had given Rainey a one-point lead. Rainey were losing their discipline and had a penalty reversed against them as Boyne continued to scrap for everything.
While Rainey were without broken thumb victim Lees and John McCusker, injured playing for Ireland U19, Boyne's veteran No8 Stuart Lambe had to retire with a knee injury. Andrew and Michael McCusker created a promising situation, but the pass to the wing drifted forward. With twelve minutes remaining, Rainey regained the lead with a strange score. A series of well-worked pick and goes took the pack right up to the line where, sensing that they now had an overlap, they moved it left. In keeping with the rest of the game, the ball was dropped, but the referee brought play back for an earlier penalty decision. Acting captain Jody McMurray elected to take a tap to himself and go for the line and just made it with the help of a few others. McLean made no mistake with the vital conversion. Philip McCusker was then shown the yellow card for halting the progress of an opponent who came at him with his elbow pointing in the general direction of his throat. The Rainey tackling held firm in the dying minutes which were played out in midfield.
TEAM : O.Quinn, P.McCusker, J.McMurray, D.McMurray, S.McLean, R.Andrew, M.Wilson, T.O'Hagan, M.Caithness, K.Donaghy, R.McCusker, P.Stewart, T.Barker, M.McCusker, D.Corrigan.
REPLACEMENTS : S.Rutledge, F.Quinn, M.Miller, A.Donaghy.