AIL 14th October 2023
Scorers: O'Neill(1*Try), O'Hagan(1*Try), Faiva(1*Try, 1*Conv), (1*Pen Try)
Photos
Rainey travelled south at the weekend to face Dublin-based Wanderers in the AIL. Missing several players, they were on the wrong end of a 58-24 defeat, a bonus point for tries scored their only consolation.
The early encounters were fairly even before a great kick by out-half Faiva took play to the 22’. Rainey stole the lineout and flanker M.McCusker charged to the 5m line but, there was insufficient support and Wanderers earned a penalty for holding.
A scrum penalty allowed fullback Regan to send them to the corner again. A catch and drive earned them a penalty, but Faiva’s speculative crossfield kick came to nothing. Again, Rainey went back to the corner but the maul was successfully driven into touch. Their third attempt drew another penalty, and they finally mauled hooker O’Neill over at the fourth time of asking. The conversion was just wide.
Their lead was short-lived as Wanderers quickly responded with a try, the conversion giving them the lead, and they added another penalty shortly after. A hack forward by Faiva, took play into the home 22’, but when he was tackled without the ball, Wanderers were able to sprint back downfield. A last-ditch tackle by Spiers gave a moment of hope, but as the Rainey defence reorganised, the ball was spun right and Wanderers added another converted try in the corner. Another penalty took the score to 20-5.
A good charge by prop McSwiggan drew a penalty and Rainey headed for the corner again, where Wanderers were penalised once more, with the referee warning of yellow cards for future infringements. With Wanderers unable to hold Rainey out illegally, the next catch and drive gave the visitors a score through prop O'Hagan. Faiva converted.
Wanderers finally had a prop binned for infringing and Rainey worked their way into the 22’, but were beaten by the clock before they could take advantage of the position.
Wanderers started the second-half strongly, a clever chip winning them a 5m lineout, and they burrowed over the line for another converted try, and another penalty added to Rainey’s woes.
A penalty for a high tackle allowed Regan to kick for the corner, and with Rainey’s maul once more halted illegally, Wanderers were fortunate not to have another player binned, but with Rainey’s scrum totally dominant, this was soon rectified and the referee eventually had no option but to award a penalty try, the only question being what had taken him so long to come to the decision.
With the clock entering the final quarter, Wanderers put the game beyond doubt with another try out left, their excellent kicker landing a great conversion. Rainey emptied their bench but their woes were compounded as they lost Spiers to the bin for a high tackle. Wanderers were relentless, adding 4 more converted tries as the Rainey heads dropped. They grabbed a late consolation try to secure a bonus point as an overthrown lineout allowed Faiva to scythe through the defence. Regan was unlucky with the conversion.
Rainey host Instonians next Saturday at Hatrick Park. All support welcome
TEAM: T.O’Hagan, D.O’Neill(c), A.McSwiggan, T.Hutchinson, R.McCusker, M.McCusker, B.Hall, A.Montgomery, L.Quinn, M.Faiva, R.Spiers, A.Brown, J.Hastings, M.Mulholland, L.Regan.
SUBS: M.Nevin, K.Donaghy, S.Hastings, L.Montgomery, A.Donaghy