UBL 21st January 2017
Scorers: Fritz(2*Try), McLean(2*Pen, 2*Conv)
Two tries from South African hooker George Fritz and the unerring boot of young full-back Scott McLean helped Rainey Old Boys to a vital 20-17 victory over Limerick side Bruff in a tense AIL game at Hatrick Park last Saturday. While Navan banked an expected bonus point from their game at Seapoint to move above Rainey on points difference, winning their game was all that the Old Boys were concerned with. It took some very good tackling to swing this game in Rainey's favour, as their out of hand kicking and decision making was poor throughout. Far too many penalties were conceded in good field positions and, once again, two Rainey players picked up yellow cards.
Rainey opened in dramatic fashion, with good work by the forwards leading to the opening score when Fritz crashed over out wide. McLean converted. Bruff then shook off their travel blues and took control of the game, aided by Rainey's mistakes.
They forced two easily kickable penalties, and then following good work by the backs, earned a 5m lineout. Rainey second-row Barker was binned for illegally attempting to prevent the Bruff forwards setting up a maul, and from the following scrum they scored easily to take the lead. The conversion attempt went just wide.
Rainey attempted to force their way back into the game, Andrew coming closest after a great charge up the middle by prop McSwiggan. But time and again they fell foul of the referee. Finally, on the cusp of half-time they won a penalty which Mclean cooly converted.
Following a defiant half-time team talk, and playing with a slight breeze, Rainey upped the tempo immediately upon the restart, and it wasn't long before Fritz was barrelling over for his second try. McLean duly did the honours and Rainey were ahead once more.
The home side failed to press home their advantage however, and, while Bruff didn't really trouble their tryline, Rainey were unable to finish them off. A further yellow card led to an equalizing penalty from Bruff, before McLean stepped up for his second penalty ten minutes from time. That put Rainey 20-17 ahead and they held on, their superior scrum remaining on top.