Ulster Carpets North U18 League 18th February 2017
Scorers: Clarke(1*Try), Smyth(1*Try), O'Neill(1*Try), Fields(1*Try), Kearns(2*Try, 2*Conv)
Having clinched the Ulster Carpets North U18 League title on their last outing, Rainey Old Buys U18s completed a clean sweep of the league when they comfortably won 34-0 against City of Derry at Judges Road. Their victory has earned them a home draw in the Ulster U18 League playoffs next Saturday (25th) against Ballyclare, who were runners-up in the East 1 League.
In blustery conditions, Rainey kicked off and flanker Charlie Clarke opened the scoring after 3 mins, when he crashed through two tacklers following a great turnover by the Rainey pack. Centre Ryan Kearns converted. With centre Mark Feathers proving a handful to the Derry defence, and winger Padraig Totten and fullback Naithan Scullion linking well together, it wasn’t long before the pressure told and prop Calum Smyth added another when he latched onto a loose ball and dived over.
Out-half Michael O’Neill added the third just before half-time, scything through the defence from 30 yds out, to leave Rainey 17-0 up at the interval.
Rainey’s fourth try came soon into the second period, following a blindside pickup from the base of the scrum by No8 Christian Lawrence. He made good ground before releasing winger Adam Fields who stormed over the top of his opposite number to touch down.
The prolific Kearns, who scored a hat-trick on Rainey’s last outing, then decided to continue with has scoring ways. Intercepting a loose Derry pass, he had a straight run in under the sticks before adding the easy conversion himself. He then added another as the game drew to a close, when good lineout ball was fed quickly out along the backs and he had the simplest of stroll-ins past the floundering Derry defence.
This was a good performance from an under-strength team, due to injuries and other commitments, but the boys will know that the business end of the season starts here, with no room for any slip-ups if they are to bring home some silverware.
Photo: Elliott Young, Michael O’Neill and Calum Smyth in action against City of Derry