Rugby: Rainey Old Boys aim to end Highfield hoodoo in AIL

Having won both of their previous meetings, Highfield will be confident of closing the gap between them and Rainey when they clash in the AIL at Hatrick Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.
KICK... Dungannon kick the ball forward during Saturday's Ulster League clash with Rainey Old Boys.INMM1114-373SRKICK... Dungannon kick the ball forward during Saturday's Ulster League clash with Rainey Old Boys.INMM1114-373SR
KICK... Dungannon kick the ball forward during Saturday's Ulster League clash with Rainey Old Boys.INMM1114-373SR

The Cork City club has a very big, but not very mobile pack, and to exploit this lack of mobility Rainey will have to eliminate the costly individual errors that have marred what has been otherwise a good season.

In beating teams like Barnhall and Queen’s University, Rainey have shown what they can do when they get it right on the day.

They hope to haveMichael Pyper in their squad. He has played only five games this season, but Rainey have won all of them, such is the influence of the talented playmaker.

In Conference 2, a heavier pack provided the platform for Dungannon to beat Rainey II by 33-12 at Hatrick Park.

With the loss of captain and prop Richard Michael at half-time with a foot injury, scrums were uncontested and this allowed Rainey to use their backs more.

Left-wing Dillon went through for a try which he converted himself and he made the opening for centre Moran to further narrow the deficit, but Dungannon made the weight count in the last ten minutes to make sure of victory.

In the U17 League Play-Off Semi-Final at Carrick, Rainey beat the home side 8-7. They now meet Dromore in the decider at Hatrick Park on Saturday morning at 11am. Undefeated so far, Barney Smith’s boys would appreciate the support of a good crowd on this occasion.

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