CITY OF DERRY 5 - 40 RAINEY

Ulster Bank AIL 2B 11th November 2017
Scorers: The Pack(1*Try), Barker(1*Try), Bloomfield(1*Try), Sterling(1*Try), Quinn(1*Try), (1*Pen Try), Magrath(5*Conv)

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It was a major occasion in the history of City of Derry on Saturday as they marked the clinching of a lucrative sponsorship deal which will enable them to develop and expand facilities at their already fine complex at Judge's Road, which has been renamed The Craig Thompson Stadium.  But their on-field problems will not be easily solved.  While the attitude of the players could not be questioned, they were rarely in the game as Rainey dominated in almost every department to win 40-5 and move a point closer to leaders Old Crescent at the top.  Derry remain second from bottom, with one win from seven outings.

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RAINEY 32 - 18 WANDERERS

Ulster Bank AIL 4th November 2016

Scorers: O'Neill(2*Try), McIlroy(1*Try), McMurray(1*Try), Magrath(2*Conv, 2*Pen)

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The match of the day in Division 2B at Hatrick Park between Rainey Old Boys and Wanderers promised to be a real cracker and it lived up to all expectations, as Rainey fought back with a rousing second-half display to clinch a great 32-18 victory and bank a bonus point with a last minute try.  The Dubliners were the better side in the first half and could easily have turned round with a commanding lead, but Rainey's big players turned up the heat with great support from their colleagues to gradually assume control and produce some very entertaining rugby in the process.

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DUNGANNON 10 - 27 RAINEY

Ulster Bank AIL 28th Oct 2017

Scorers: Magrath(1*Pen,2*Conv), Harbinson(2*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), Barker(1*Try)

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Rainey Old Boys kicked off week 5 of the All Ireland League in fourth place with a tough ulster derby encounter against Mid-Ulster neighbours Dungannon.  The game started at Stevenson Park with Rainey playing into a very strong wind.  They showed their intention right from the start, moving ball wide and playing with some great pace and intensity.

 

The first half was a tight affair with Rainey controlling a lot of possession, but unable to gain much territory due to conditions.  The set piece was untidy and although Rainey looked to have the upper hand, they were penalised in the first two scrums, giving Dungannon a foothold in the game.  The Rainey frustration grew and this cost them another three penalties to give Dungannon their first attempt at goal. This one was missed, but shortly after from yet another penalty they did take the lead with the kick at posts.

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RAINEY 42 - 10 MU BARNHALL

Ulster Bank AIL 7th October 2017
Scorers: Magrath(3*Pen, 4*Conv), O'Neill(1*Try), R.McCusker(1*Try), D.McMurray(1*Try), McIlroy(2*Try)

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Games between Rainey Old Boys and Barnhall tend to be tight, tense, but interesting affairs and the big crowd that gathered at Hatrick Park were not to be disappointed by the entertainment they were about to witness.  Sharing third place, this was a big game for both clubs and at the half hour stage there was nothing in it.  But, the visitors' lack of discipline was to prove crucial as Rainey seized the initiative to run in four tries in the final quarter to pick up an unlikely bonus point in a 42-10 win.  In attendance was Ulster's Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, a guest of Rainey stalwart Graffin Parke, who is, of,course, President of the Ulster Branch this season.

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BELFAST HARLEQUINS 7 - 23 RAINEY

Ulster Bank AIL 30th September 2017
Scorers: Bloomfield(1*Try), J.McCusker(1*Try), Rutledge(1*Try), Magrath(2*Pen, 1*Conv)

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After a stellar effort at Navan, it was perhaps, inevitable that Rainey Old Boys might struggle to produce that level of performance at Deramore Park where they would have been seeking a winning bonus point.  They won by a comfortable enough 23-7 margin, but missed out on a bonus which they did not deserve.  They had plenty of possession and found themselves in countless strong field positions, but made far too many handling errors, persisting on going for offloads that were simply too ambitious.

 

When Collegians and North amalgamated in 1999, they enjoyed reasonable success as Belfast Harlequins in the top Division of the AIL. But in recent seasons, they have struggled and been unable to halt the slide.  After two successive relegations, they can no longer attract the top young players and face a long winter after losing their first three games.

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NAVAN 13 - 20 RAINEY

Ulster Bank AIL 23rd September 2017

Scorers: Magrath(2*Pen, 2*Conv), Pritchard(1*Try), Crooks(1*Try)

 

The clash of promoted clubs Navan and Rainey Old Boys attracted a big crowd to Balreask Old where they saw Rainey hold on for a deserved win in a high class, thrill-a-minute affair.  The Old Boys had only thirteen players on the park when Navan scored to creep closer, but they defended heroically in their new change strip to take the points and make up for not getting the rub of the green against Old Crescent on the opening day of the AIL.

 

Few, if any, sides will leave Navan with anything, so this is just the boost Rainey needed.  Out-half Andy Magrath got his line moving really well throughout the game, opting to keep the ball in hand most of the time against the blustery wind and his place-kicking was exceptional.  The tackling of the backs had to be spot on and it was.  The pack worked their socks off against a very big Navan unit with Pritchard and Barker outstanding.  John McCusker stole some great ball in the lineout, but on the three occasions when they went to the corner rather than go for the posts, Navan denied them good ball.

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