Rainey get there in the end

Ards led 5-0 within two minutes of the kick-off, but Rainey controlled matters up front for O’Connor to reduce the deficit.Ards had a player yellow carded but defended well as the visitors forced the pace into the wind and went 8-3 ahead after 34 minutes with a penalty.

Good continuity brought Rainey a vital try three minutes after the break, O’Connor converting Clarke’s score from a wide angle. Injuries to two Ards’ props resulted in uncontested scrums and helped Ards look dangerous for a spell. But despite having centre McMurray yellow carded, Rainey kicked a penalty and made sure of the points with a Pyper try ten minutes from time.

With debutant Magowan given some game time in the second-row and Simpson returning from injury,Rainey finished strongly, O’Connor and Boyle starting a move which ended with Clarke cruising in for his second try.O’Connor again added the points with a towering kick.

TEAM: M.O’Connor, A.Campbell, M.Pyper, D.McMurray, A.Clarke, G.Martin, A.McCluggage, S.Rutledge, S.Sufferin, N.O’Kane, P.Stewart, T.Barker, C.O’Neill, M.Shiels, Harbinson. REPLACEMENTS: S.McDowell (Rutledge 34), N.Amos (Sufferin 34), P.Boyle (Stewart 47),P.Magowan (McDowell 54), S.Simpson (Pyper 72).

Other Division 2 B results: Armagh 45 Sunday’s Well 7; Boyne 41 Sligo 0; Naas 78 Connemara 9; Navan 27 Instonians 14; Nenagh 41 Clonakilty 14; Skerries 21 Suttonians 12; Thomond 14 Barnhall 40.

Rainey’s next AIL game is on Oct 27 when they play Sunday’s Well at Musgrave Park, Cork.

In Junior 3 Queen’s thirds finished the stronger to beat Rainey OB thirds by 32-13 at Hatrick Park.

The outcome was in the melting pot until the visitors’ greater fire power behind the scrum began to tell in the last quarter.

Geoffrey Ewing was a clear winner of the Man of the Match tag, scoring a late consolation try.

He received good support from his back-row colleagues McIvor and Campton who scored a first-half try. Scrum-half Walker kicked two conversions.

Rainey OB fourths claimed their second win in the league when they defeated Omagh fourths by 20-13 at Hatrick Park.

John McGoldrick was back to add a bit of bite to the home side’s effort and they led 10-7 at half-time.

Scrum-half Devlin was responsible for all of their points, scoring a converted try and a penalty.

Omagh drew level but replacement R.Coleman deservedly put Rainey back in front with a try and Devlin adding a penalty.

FIXTURES - Saturday, 13 October

1st XV v Instonians UL, home 2.30pm

2nd XV v Instonians seconds, home

3rd XV v Coleraine thirds, away