AIL Division 2B 15th October 2022
Scorers: Faiva(1*Try), O'Hagan(1*Try), McLean(2*Conv)
Rainey Old Boys had their first win in AIL2B on Saturday, as they edged out a stubborn Sligo side at Strandhill, coming away 13-14 winners thanks to an injury time conversion slotted over by fullback Scott McLean.
The home side opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a well-taken penalty, before Faiva, operating at out-half instead of full-back, opened the scoring for Rainey on 25mins with a well-taken try. McLean added the conversion, but the lead was reduced to 1 point almost immediately when Sligo slotted over another penalty, and the score remained at 6-7 at half-time.
As the weather deteriorated, Sligo were awarded a penalty try after 53 mins, when second-row Smyth was deemed to have collapsed a Sligo driving maul as it headed for the line.
As Rainey pressed for a winning score, the Sligo defence became increasingly desperate. Their centre was the first to leave the pitch with 75 mins gone, after deliberately slapping the ball down and he was followed almost immediately by the hooker. Reduced to 13 men, Sligo defended ferociously, but when O’Hagan crossed the line in the 4th minute of injury time, the pressure was all on McLean for the final act of the game. He was up to the task.
The league now takes a break and returns on 29th October when Rainey entertain Malahide at Hatrick Park. With both teams currently mid-table on 7 points, it promises to be an interesting fixture.