Ulster Carpets Cup Semi-Final 22nd April 2007
Scores: Clarke(1*Try), McIntosh(1*Try), Kearns(2*Conv)

Rainey U18s ended their season at the Palace Grounds, Armagh, when they succumbed 27 – 14 to a strong Armagh U18s side widely acknowledged as the best youth side in Ulster rugby.  In a semi-final which most neutral observers viewed as the de-facto final of the Ulster Carpets Cup, Armagh showed due respect to Rainey by fielding their strongest possible team, ensuring all their senior players were available for the match.  In contrast, the Old Boys showed their continued ambivalence to the success of the youth section and refused to do likewise. Armagh were unable to hide their glee at this turn of events and in the end, it was to prove the only difference between the two teams.

Receiving the kick-off Rainey started well forcing Armagh into conceding a penalty and then pushing deep into their half, before a turnover allowed them to relieve the pressure.  Rainey maintained their dominance for the next 10 mins, going through the phases and working their way downfield to their opponents 22m, before a penalty allowed Armagh to clear their lines once more.  From the lineout, they punched a hole in the Rainey defence, and their backline outpaced the Magherafelt cover to score in the corner. 

The game see-sawed at this point, with neither team gaining the ascendancy, then, from an Armagh scrum, Rainey forced a turnover and Scullion kicked into the Armagh 22m.  The clearance was bad and when Rainey attacked again they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle.  Kicking to the corner, they forced their way to the line and after a series of pick and goes, Clarke came up with the score.  Kearns added the points to bring the sides level again.

Back came Armagh, with only resolute Rainey defence keeping them out.  Then disaster struck when Rainey lost second-row Molloy to a shoulder injury.  As one of their hardest ball-carriers,  and immensly strong in the scrum, this was a major blow.  With second-row cover denied them, Rainey were forced to play with a flanker in the position and the heavy Armagh pack began to dominate the scrums.   A series of forward drives drew in the Rainey defence and when the ball was sent wide they had a clear overlap to score out wide once more.  With three minutes to go to half-time, Rainey tried to hold on but following another strong Armagh scrum they conceded another converted try to turn around 21-7 in arrears.

Armagh pressed hard as the second half commenced, but Rainey had rectified their defensive frailties, and after 10 mins of pressure, Armagh were forced to settle for a drop goal.  Even though Rainey were struggling to win their own scrum and lineout, they refused to lie down and fought tooth and nail for every ball.

On a rare Rainey attack, a great 40 yard break from Totten carried play into the Armagh half.  A great cross-field kick from O’Neill took them to the 22m and when they were awarded a penalty, once more they went for the lineout.  With Armagh expecting a classic maul, the players opted for a move off the training paddock, throwing it short to McIntosh who powered over despite the best attentions of three Armagh players.  Kearns added the extras once more.

When Clarke won a penalty from the restart, Rainey were straight back in the Armagh half, but again their inability to secure their own lineout allowed Armagh off the hook and strong running by the Armagh backs took them to the Rainey 22m where they secured a penalty to extend their lead once more.  With time running out, Rainey emptied their bench and finished strongly, but it wasn’t to be. 

After a long hard season, during which they only experienced two defeats, the team can be justifiably proud of their performance throughout.  Many of them will learn from this experience, the circumstances which surrounded it and that they must rely on themselves and their teammates alone if they are to succeed next time.

The coaching staff would like to thank each and every one of the players for the hard work and dedication they have shown this year and wish them all the very best of luck in their future rugby careers.