Premiership Division 2 17th September 2022
Scorers: Faiva(2*Try), O'Hagan(1*Try), Brown(1*Try), M.McCusker(1*Try), N.Hastings(1*Try), McLean(3*Conv)
In beautiful sunny conditions and on an immaculate pitch, Belfast Harlequins and Rainey Old Boys had their first of a minimum of 3 encounters this season, with Rainey gaining an early psychological advantage as they ran out 26-36 winners at Deramore Park. The game had barely gotten underway before Rainey were on the scoresheet, as full-back Faiva scored a spectacularly acrobatic try in the corner. Out-half McLean added a conversion of equal quality from the touchline and Rainey were 7 points to the good.
Having dominated for the first 20 mins, Rainey then appeared shell-shocked as the game suddenly switched in Harlequins’ favour. In the space of 5 minutes, they conceded two soft tries, as first the Quins’ out-half and then the scrum-half crossed the whitewash – both attacks starting far from the Rainey line. When No8 Erasmus was then shown yellow for a high tackle, things were not looking good for the Magherafelt men. It fell to Club Captain, Tommy O’Hagan, to settle the ship. Catching a poor kick-out above his head, and outside the ’22, the big prop decided some direct action was needed, and set off in a straight line for the posts. He bullocked his way to the line, battering opponents from his path, before defiantly slamming the ball down over the whitewash. When McLean slotted the conversion, to retake the lead, the momentum seemed to be with the visitors.
Harlequins had other ideas, and retook the lead with another long range try, followed by a superb conversion. Anticipating the half-time whistle, they were in turn caught out as Rainey surged downfield, with the move ending when Centre Brown went over in the corner. McLean was unlucky with the conversion attempt, bringing the half to a close with the crowd breathless and honours even at 19-19.
Starting strongly in the 2nd half, Rainey applied concerted pressure, while attempting to move ball around. Faiva made a good break before releasing Jeffers, but the winger cut inside, and the move broke down. Quins then lost a player to the bin for a high tackle and Rainey swiftly took advantage with the forwards forcing Michael McCusker over the line.
A great break by Brown then tore the home defence apart, a sublime offload releasing Jeffers in the middle of the park. He sprinted for the line, but was hauled down just 10m short. A quick ruck, and Faiva was on hand to break left and dive over for his second score of the day.
Harlequins were far from finished however. From a lineout outside the home ’22, backrow Neal Hastings took a great steal to allow the forwards to set up a maul. With the McCusker brothers to the fore, they manoeuvred relentlessly forward, the ‘Quins’ best attempts to legally prevent a score coming to naught, and offering the referee his choice from a number of penalty offences. Again, they attacked, with John McCusker and Quinn carrying well, but Harlequins stole the ball and their fullback ran the length of the pitch to score. The conversion reduced the deficit to just 3 points and with 15mins to go, it was game on.
Back came Rainey, and when Jeffers flicked an offload to Neal Hastings, he was able to sprint in unopposed to score in the corner. McLean landed another great conversion and with the clock ticking down, Rainey launched one final attack down the right wing, centres Hall and Brown linking well to make good ground. They won a 5m scrum, and although Brown crossed the tryline, he was unable to ground the ball. With the referee calling time a few minutes later, Rainey had earned another bonus point win and now sit atop Ulster Rugby Premiership Division 2 with 3 rounds played.