Towns' Cup 29th November 2022
Scorers: Shaw(1*Try), Nevin(1*Try), Lee(1*Try), Kearns(1*Conv)
In the first round of the Town’s Cup, Rainey II were well on their way to causing an upset over fancied opponent’s Ballynahinch, before the now all-too-common string of injuries in crucial positions saw them concede two converted tries in the final quarter, finally succumbing to a 17 – 30 defeat. An extensive Rainey injury list even saw Coach Stirling call upon Club Chairman Stevie Rutledge to lace-up his boots once more, and he rose to the task with aplomb.
The visitors opened strongly as expected, forcing an early lineout deep in the Rainey ’22. Although the initial Rainey defence held strongly for a few phases, ‘when the ‘Hinch backs swung the ball wide to the left-wing, he was able to break the tackle and dive over in the corner. A superb, wind-assisted conversion from the side-line added the extras.
Five minutes later, another ‘Hinch break from half-way carved open the Rainey defence. Thankfully, a last-gasp tackle by full-back Crosier slowed the attack for long enough for Rainey to regroup and prevent the try, but they were forced to concede a penalty a few minutes later and were soon 9 points adrift.
Rainey came back strongly, with a great take by second-row A.Brown at the restart setting the tone. Great work by the forwards carried play to their opponents ’22 and they eventually won a penalty after ‘Hinch were pinged for dangerous play at a ruck. Realising points were at a premium, Rainey elected to tap. A.Brown and prop McErlean carried strongly to the 5m, the ball was fed left to No8 Shaw, and he crashed through three defenders for Rainey’s opener. Kearns was unlucky with a difficult conversion into the wind.
‘Hinch added another penalty, and were soon on the attack again, before a Rainey steal by centre A.Brown once more changed the complexion of the game. McErlean fed winger AJ Brown and he rounded the defence to thunder 50m down the left wing. Felled by the ‘Hinch fullback on the 5m line, he popped the ball up to the oncoming Prop Nevin in support and he drove over the line for Rainey’s second try. Kearns was unlucky once more.
As half-time approached, Rainey worked their way towards the opposition’s ’22. Winning a penalty, they kicked for the corner, and second-row Millar, for the umpteenth time of the day, secured the lineout. With the maul driving inexorably for the line, hooker Lee spotted a gap and dived over for a classic hooker’s try. Cairns was finally on target with a superb conversion and Rainey were ahead 17-16.
‘Hinch had a final chance in the half, winning an attacking scrum inside the Rainey ’22, but were denied by a superb steal by scrum-half MacGinty and flanker Bell.
The second half opened fairly evenly, with both sides making, then conceding ground. ‘Hinch came close with a penalty attempt in the 45th minute, their kicker making his only miss of the day.
With the Rainey scrum under pressure, the tight five were working miracles not to concede penalties, and No8 Shaw was having to pick and go on every Rainey scrum, to no little success. Breaking from the base of a scrum on the Rainey 10m, he burst through the visitor’s defensive line and hared off downfield. With the line wide open, a try seemed certain, but somehow the ‘Hinch fullback made it across to make a try-saving tackle on the 5m line. In the ensuing ruck, Rainey were penalised, but worse, Shaw was forced to retire with an ankle injury.
Missing Shaw, and with McErlean reduced to walking wounded, Rainey were hanging on ferociously to their 1-point lead. A ‘Hinch break tore open their defence and when the ball was fed to the winger, only a superb covering tackle by Crosier forced him into touch 5m out. For the next 10 mins they thwarted every attack the visitors threw at them, but the pressure eventually told, with ‘Hinch running in 2 converted tries. A late flourish saw Rainey almost score a consolation try but it was not to be.