Rainey hit top spot with superb victory over Sunday’s Well

Sundays Well 9

WHILE the AIL programme is still in the early stages, Rainey Old Boys are pleased to be setting the pace on points difference from newcomers Cashel.

But they will not be getting carried away with this fine start as they are well aware of the difficult hurdles that lie ahead. Nevertheless a five-try 36-9 home win over Cork visitors Sunday’s Well is a real confidence booster as they now focus on Saturday’s away trip to Wanderers.

The kick-off time for this game has yet to be finalised and travelling supporters should check the details before then.

The heavy lunchtime rain had stopped and the sun had emerged before kick-off, but the wind was likely to be a factor as Rainey knew that they needed points on the board before half-time.

Out-half Martin allowed a fraction too much for the wind with a first minute shot at goal, but he opened the scoring shortly afterwards from long range with a kick that could not have been struck better.

They looked sharp both up front and in the backs, but lost three early lineouts in the Well 22’. Their frustration was obvious, but they scored a welcome try after 12 minutes. Fielding a weak clearance, wing Clarke countered at pace to find second-row Dawson free on his outside. Martin added the points with another fine kick.

Five minutes later, Sciascia’s high kick was not dealt with on halfway and from quick ruck ball the little pivot worked the short side where Boyle and Dawson handled before Clarke crossed to make it 15-0.

The Rainey scrum was coping well and the tackling was excellent until Well’s No.8 O’Sullivan was allowed to charge forty yards and force a penalty which O’Riordan kicked.Full-back Paul was yellow carded, but Rainey regained the initiative with centre Montgomery doing well to create a half chance.

Martin missed the target as the rain made a brief return and Sciascia broke to the Well 22’, but could not find Boyle who was storming up the touchline with a clear path in front of him.

Seven minutes from the break, they scored a crucial try. From a scrum on the Well 22’, Hawe fed Sciascia who lost his footing, but was still able to offload to Montgomery who darted through an inviting gap for a great score beneath the posts.

Sciascia was impeded after kicking ahead, but no action was taken.

Well then enjoyed their best spell of the game, kicking a penalty and applying heavy pressure which looked like producing a try, but on the intervention of a touch judge they were penalised for foul play.

Rainey conceded a silly penalty at a lineout to gift the Musgrave Park side three points, but their race was run as Rainey grew in confidence to totally dominate the last quarter.

The back-row of Heaney, Hawe and Shiels was outstanding, both in defence and in attack, while Harbinson also caught the eye after replacing Heaney.

Try number four came after 5 minutes. Flanker Shiels stormed towards the Well line from a lineout with support and two phases later Sciascia nipped over from a ruck a yard short.With the all-important bonus point now safely in the bag, Rainey made 70 yards by running a penalty out of defence and in the last minute of a very entertaining game, Harbinson,Shiels and Wilson played major roles in a move finished off by captain Simon Hawe.

Team : R.Paul, A.Clarke, D.McMurray, W.Montgomery,J .McBride, G.Martin, P.Sciascia, S.McDowell, K.Donaghy, P.Boyle, N.Rankin, D.Dawson, P.Heaney, S.Hawe, M.Shiels.

Replacements : S.Sufferin (Donaghy 30) R.Hall (McDowell 43) A.Harbinson (Heaney 60) R.McKernan (Rankin 73) Wilson (Sciascia 75)

RAINEY O.B. 2nd XV 11 - 24 QUEEN’S 2nd XV

Rainey started and finished well against Queen’s 2 at Hatrick Park, but the students took their chances to run out 24-11 winners. The homesters fielded a very young side which will get stronger and should not allow some adverse results to disconcert them.

Debutants Moran and Kidd did well, as did flanker McIvor who was probably their best player. He, in fact, opened the scoring when he fielded the kick-off and romped straight through for a sensational try. But, with wind advantage, Queen’s ran in three tries to lead 17-5.

The Rainey forwards were just not getting to the breakdown in numbers, but improved in other departments. Centre McClelland kicked two penalties to bring them into the picture, but Queen’s made sure of the points with a fourth try.

A very inexperienced Rainey 4th XV were on the receiving end of a 50 - 0 scoreline at the Palace Grounds where Armagh 4 were simply too strong for them. With five hookers in their line-up, Rainey had to make do with square pegs in round holes, but they never let their heads drop and at no stage became downhearted. They improved as the game went on and will become more competitive as they gain more experience at adult level.

200 Club Draw for November - winners were Richard Flynn and Eamon Boyle.

Fixtures - Saturday 5th November

1st XV v WANDERERS Away

4th XV v OPHIR 3 Home