2nd XV League 17th September 2022
Scorers: Evans(2*Try), Hall(2*Try), McCrum(1*Try), Pollock(1*Pen, 5*Conv)
Kicking off against a heavier and more experienced ‘Quins IIs, Rainey’s second string coped well with early pressure, their defence more than a match for the home team. Both sides exchanged attacking chances, but it was Rainey who drew first blood after 15 mins, when a visit to The Quins’ 22 earned them a penalty, ably converted by Pollock.
A good catch by McErlain from the restart allowed Evans to break from his own ’22, sidestep the defence and outpace everyone to score under the posts. Pollock added the extras. However, Quins hit back immediately, with some poor Rainey tackling eventually leading to a converted home try.
Forcing a turnover from the restart, good carries from Montgomery and McCullough up the middle allowed the backs to send the ball right and draw the defence. When the ball went left again, McCrum was wide open and he had the gas to make if from halfway to score under the sticks. Pollock was on target once more, with the aid of one of the uprights, and Rainey were 7-17 to the good. Their lead was to be short-lived, with Quins soon storming downfield once more. The Rainey defence did well to stymie them through multiple phases, but eventually they forced their way over the whitewash and with the conversion added, reduced the deficit to 3 points.
Reduced to 14 men when Gordon was harshly sin-binned for not rolling away, Rainey did well to keep Quins at bay for the remainder of the half.
10 mins after the interval, a strong carry by Montgomery allowed Evans to release Hall on halfway. Sprinting through the defensive line, he made it to the Quins’ 22, before dummying the covering winger and feeding the ball back to the supporting Evans on the 5m line, giving him an easy run-in under the posts. Pollock made no mistake with the conversion once more. A crunching tackle by Bergeron then led to a turnover by McClelland and a superb 50-22 kick by Pollock gave Rainey an attacking lineout. With Rainey repeatedly driving for the line, the referee binned a Quins player for use of the boot in a ruck, but Rainey also suffered a blow when prop MacErlain was forced to retire.
With the scrums now uncontested, the only advantage Quins had was neutralised, and Rainey were quick to make use of the extra man. Montgomery drew his man beautifully and released Hall into acres of space, giving him an easy canter to score between the sticks. Pollock was again on target.
Another Evans break down the right led to Rainey’s final score, when he sent a lovely little grubber into the path of Hall in support. He made no mistake and was soon diving at the posts for his second try of the day. Pollock added the conversion to take Rainey’s total to 38. Quins pressed hard for the last 10 mins, against stout, and, it has to be said, intelligent Rainey defence, but the home side eventually got a consolation try in the final minutes.