RAINEY II 19 - 10 BALLYCLARE II
Provincial League Section 1 22nd October 2016
Scorers: Corrigan(1*Try), McClelland(2*Try), Martin(1*Conv), Quinn(1*Conv)
The name McCusker has dominated local rugby news in recent weeks as three of the clan are starring for the 1st XV. A fourth, Philip, has secided to try the oval ball game which he has not played since his schoolboy days and he announced his arrival on the stage at Hatrick Park on Saturday by helping Rainey II to a 19-10 victory over second placed Ballyclare II. Chico Jr, as he is known to his mates, showed some deft touches and did his shift of ball carrying in the second half to mark him down as one for the future. That could be as a big winger, a la Jonah Lomu, or in the second row.
It has been an unfortunate season so far for the 2nd XV, but this excellent win should get them going and, if they can get a more settled side on the field, they can move up Section 1 of the Provincial League.
QUEENS II 45 - 5 RAINEY II
Provisional League: Section 1 7th November 2016
Scorers: Walshe(1*Try)
In Provisional League: Section 1, a makeshift Rainey II side was swamped by Queen's II at the Dub. Tiarnen Walshe scored for Rainey in the first half when they competed well to turn round only 12-5 behind, but it was one-way traffic after that with the students romping to a facile 45-5 victory.
DUNGANNON II 26 - 12 RAINEY II
Provincial League: Section 1 17th November 2016
Scorers: McSwiggan(2*Try), McLean(1*Conv)
In Section 1 of the Provincial League, Dungannon II beat Rainey II by 26 points to 12 at an arctic Stevenson Park last Thursday night. Conditions were good for rugby for part of the game, but a blizzard of fine snow made it an ordeal for the participants. There was little between the sides, but Dungannon edged it by taking better options when chances cropped up.
DONAGHADEE 11 - 49 RAINEY II
Towns' Cup 7th January 2017
Scorers: McCusker(1*Try), L Quinn(1*Try), O Quinn(1*Try), Wilson(1*try), Donaghy(1*Try), Hastings(1*Try), Henry(1*Try), McLean(7*Conv)
With Kukri Ulster Championship Division 1 sides handed a bye at the opening stage of the Towns' Cup, Rainey Old Boys II were not displeased when the draw paired them with Division 2 strugglers Donaghadee. Many of the Rainey side have sampled rugby at a much higher level at some stage this season and, despite having to travel to Donaldson Park, were confident of winning. And after dominating most of the game which was blown up five minutes early by referee Glenda Mellon, they ran out 49-11 winners.